Mikel : My Father Woke Me Up To Watch Nigeria Beat Brazil At Atlanta 1996
Published: August 16, 2016
Team Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel has stated that Nigeria beating Brazil in the semifinal of Atlanta 1996 inspired him to become a footballer.
And the Chelsea midfielder has targeted winning the gold medal in Rio to inspire another generation of young footballers in his homeland.
“I remember a little . I remember that day I was sleeping , my father woke me up. I remember the goals,” Mikel told reporters, according to TV Globo.
“This inspired me to take the game seriously and to be who I am today . I hope we can now win gold again to inspire young children in Nigeria.”
Mikel, 29, has won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League, Europa League and African Cup of Nations, and wants to add the Olympic title to his rich resume.
“It is something missing in my career. I never played the Olympics, this is my first . My goal here is to win the gold medal , it is what moves me .
“Coming here I spoke to the coach , we are all here walking in the same direction , me, him and the rest of the players .
“That’s the reason I’m here. I hope to return to the house with gold.”
Nigeria U23s will qualify for their third final at the Olympic Games if they see off Germany on Wednesday night in Sao Paulo.
Igho Kingsley
And the Chelsea midfielder has targeted winning the gold medal in Rio to inspire another generation of young footballers in his homeland.
“I remember a little . I remember that day I was sleeping , my father woke me up. I remember the goals,” Mikel told reporters, according to TV Globo.
“This inspired me to take the game seriously and to be who I am today . I hope we can now win gold again to inspire young children in Nigeria.”
Mikel, 29, has won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League, Europa League and African Cup of Nations, and wants to add the Olympic title to his rich resume.
“It is something missing in my career. I never played the Olympics, this is my first . My goal here is to win the gold medal , it is what moves me .
“Coming here I spoke to the coach , we are all here walking in the same direction , me, him and the rest of the players .
“That’s the reason I’m here. I hope to return to the house with gold.”
Nigeria U23s will qualify for their third final at the Olympic Games if they see off Germany on Wednesday night in Sao Paulo.
Igho Kingsley
Latest News
- Official: Tottenham youth product eligible for Nigeria, Malawi released by Cambridge United
- Clash of titans: Flying Eagles set for U20 Afcon quarterfinal against defending champs Senegal
- Josh Maja: Super Eagles striker capped by Gernot Rohr wins major West Brom award
- Six goals, no starting spot: Umar Sadiq fades from Valencia coach's plans despite impressive form
- Dutch-born Feyenoord product pulls out of Super Eagles squad for Unity Cup after suffering injury
- Tottenham Hotspur manager takes two Nigerian teenagers to Norway for Bodo/Glimt clash
- 'It felt like slow motion' - Tyrique George discusses his first Premier League goal for Chelsea
- Ademola Lookman: Juventus target Super Eagles star as alternative to Manchester United forward
- Leicester City Goal of the Month: Italian-born centre-back on Eric Chelle's radar nominated
- Super Eagles striker returns to team training at Bayer Leverkusen amid Real Madrid links


News Categories
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Casinos not on Gamstop
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- 1Win
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football
- F168
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88