Nigeria Press Conference : Mikel On Super Eagles Return, Favorite Tag, Possibility Of Quitting After AFCON

Published: June 21, 2019

John Obi Mikel says the Super Eagles players are confident ahead of their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations opener against Burundi at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on Saturday evening.

Of the 23 players included on Nigeria's roster to the Africa Cup of Nations, only the former Chelsea midfielder, Ahmed Musa and Kenneth Omeruo have featured in the tournament before.

Mikel, who has returned to the squad after a one-year self-imposed sabbatical, pointed out that manager Gernot Rohr chose the appropriate players to compete in the tournament, including a group of young players who should be encouraged.

"I've been away from the team for over a year now but I was always in contact with the team and I knew the team was in good hands,'' said Mikel at Friday's pre-match press conference.

''Everyone thinks we are favorites but we are not looking at it like that we just want to qualify and then kick on and do great things.

''The last we were here we won but we've missed out on a few but we are confident. There are just the three of us who have the experience but the blend in the team is good.''

On the possibility of retiring from the national team after the AFCON, Mikel who made his tournament debut thirteen years ago said : ''It's not a bad place to finish! I started here in 2006 and we came third so Egypt has always been good to me.

''This time hopefully we can do better. I'm not 100% sure this is my last one but maybe''.

Mikel has played 87 games for Nigeria and scored six goals during his international career, which began in August 2005.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel