Obi Mikel On Moving To Middlesbrough, Replacement In Super Eagles, Self-Imposed Sabbatical & More

John Obi Mikel attended the Super Eagles press conference on Thursday and was quizzed about returning to England to join Middlesbrough in the winter transfer market and spoke about the Super Eagles young players.

The Chelsea legend is in line to play his first official match for Nigeria in twelve months when they take on Zimbabwe in a pre-Africa Cup of Nations friendly on Saturday, June 8 following his return to the squad after a self-imposed sabbatical.

''Since I wasn't obviously here, the team did well, the coach did well, like you said there's a lot of new players,'' Mikel said at the press conference attended by allnigeriasoccer.com.

''We qualified comfortably, if you look at the World Cup qualification we did well, topping the group, scored a lot of goals.

''I think it is a not a surprise how well we've done but obviously the players that have come in, the spirit of the team was still there, you could see that's why they played well.

''Going to Middlesbrough, obviously I came back from China, I had two years there, I had a great time. I have no regret going there, came back to Middlesbrough, played few games the team did well, now I'm back here to help them.

''My focus now is to help the team win another Nations Cup.I know only few players that are here that have managed to win but my focus is to help this young team win the Nations Cup.''

In Mikel's absence, Arsenal's Alex Iwobi was often deployed as a playmaker by manager Gernot Rohr but the four-time Africa Cup of Nations veteran was careful not to pick the Hale End Academy product as his long-term replacement, saying the country is blessed with several talented youngsters.

''There's a lot of young good players, I watched them at training, how technical and how fast they are. It's amazing to see.

''One thing I know for sure is that Nigeria will always produce amazing footballers. If you are leaving there's someone else to take your position, it has been like that, it will continue to be like that.

''I know our football will always be in good hands,'' Mikel added.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel