'We Have Not Really Played Well' - Mikel Admits Super Eagles Were Not Impressive In The Group Stage

Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel has admitted that the Super Eagles have not been impressive at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations despite winning their first two games.

Goals from Lalaina Nomenjanahary and Carolus Andriamahitsinoro saw the Islanders shock the three-time African champions in their final group game on Sunday evening to finish top of Group B.

Mikel returned to the starting line-up but did not play well and had to make way for Alex Iwobi just before the hour mark.

Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone after the match, Mikel said : ''We didn't play well, I think in the tournament so far we haven't found our way to play. We have not really played well but we've won two games and lost this one now.

''In a way it's better that it happened now than happening in the knockout stages, so now we know together as a team we have to improve, we have to do better, we have to find a way to play better and win games.

''It is going to be tough for us, we have to pick ourselves up, we have to keep our heads up and go again.''

Mikel recognized that the Super Eagles will be criticized in the media and by fans back home following their lackluster performance against Madagascar.

''Obviously the criticism will come from our people but this is football, you get criticized this is why you are in the game.

''If you don't get criticized you are not in the game, we have to take the criticism and improve,'' the Nigeria number 10 concluded.

The Super Eagles did not lose a single game when they won the 1980, 1994 and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations so the writing is on the wall that the omen is not good.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : cafonline.com