Mikel Obi has vowed to do everything to ensure the Super Eagles qualify for next year’s World Cup in Russia.
Nigeria, who currently sit atop Group B Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers on six points, are gearing up for their vital qualifying double-header against their eternal rivals Cameroon, who are second in the group on two points.
The Eagles host the Indomitable Lions in Uyo on August 31, with the African champions receiving the Nigerians in the reverse fixture in Yaounde on September 4.
And Nigeria captain Mikel, who has been struggling to regain fitness after undergoing surgery in London in April following an injury he sustained while playing for his Chinese Super League side Tianjin Teda, has warned his Eagles’ teammates to expect a tough test against the Lions over the two legs.
“As everyone knows, they are a very good team,” the former Chelsea midfielder, who represented Nigeria at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil in 2014, was quoted by FIFA.com as saying of Cameroon on Wednesday.
“They are strong and they play with confidence. We must get ourselves well prepared for this game and try our best to get on top against them. It won’t be easy but these are important matches. If we win both, we will be almost there.”
The 30-year-old admits he is under pressure to feature in the world football showpiece in the country where the mother of his twins comes from.
He said, “My wife is Russian, and many of our relatives and friends are from Russia. They are all expecting Nigeria to qualify for the next World Cup. I think they will kill me if I fail them.”
SOURCE: http://punchng.com/my-wifes-relativesll-kill-me-if-eagles-miss-wcup-mikel/
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