Nigeria not second choice, Mikel tells foreign players

Former Super Eagles skipper Mikel John Obi has seriously kicked against some foreign-born players, using Nigeria as a second option when considering which country to represent at the senior international level.

Speaking on ESPN Africa on Friday, the Chelsea legend urged them to be proud of their Nigerian roots and not wait until age has taken a toll on them before using the country as a last resort.

He said, “They want to play for England, France, whatever it is, and then they wait. When they get to 25 or 26 and they don’t get a call up from England, then they call Nigeria. We shouldn’t be treated as a second option. You should be proud of your African roots. You should be proud to represent your African country.

“If you decide you want to play for England, stick to it. Sit and wait, but don’t wait till 29 or 30, you have passed your best, then you are like, ‘Oh Nigeria FA, I’m ready to play for you now’. No, f…k off, mate.”

Mikel has every right to address this issue, having served Nigeria with every fibre in him, representing the country at U17, U20, and U23 levels before graduating to the senior level, playing 91 matches from 2005 to 2019, and serving as captain of the Super Eagles for several years.

Some of the players who resorted to Nigeria after failed bids to play for their countries of birth, especially England, include Shola Ameobi, a striker overlooked by England after representing the country at the U20 level. He beckoned on Nigeria at age 32 and ended up scoring twice in 10 appearances from 2012 to 2014.

There is also Reuben Agboola, who didn’t consider Nigeria while making waves in the Premier League as ‘Agboola the Rock’. After being ignored by England, the then-right-back decided to play for Nigeria at 29 and earned nine caps from 1991 to 1993.

Prominent on this list is striker Dickson Etuhu, who turned to Nigeria at 25 and ended up with 19 caps from 2007 to 2011.

On the contrary, John Chodozie is a name that still resonates among Nigerians for opting to represent Nigeria at 21, when he was a consistent top-draw performer for Tottenham Hotspur. The then-right winger played nine matches for Nigeria, scoring twice, making his debut in
1981.