The agent of John Obi Mikel has said that the midfielder does not want to be the deputy of the current Nigeria skipper Ahmed Musa and he is instead quite happy featuring for the team just as a player.
In Nigeria’s recent game versus Congo, when Musa was being taken off by the manager in the second half, he tried to give the armband that he had been wearing to Mikel, but, the veteran refused to accept it.
Since, it happened right there at the ground, it was seen by all and the questions started being raised over the relationship between Mikel and the Nigeria team management.
But, speaking on behalf of Mikel, his agent cleared the air saying that there’re no grudges in the heart of the player and it’s just that he is not willing to take the vice captaincy.
In the words of the agent, “Musa has already been named the skipper and the manager was looking for John to serve as his deputy.”
“The reason for John not to be handed the captaincy was that he was not available to go versus Tanzania, but, recently, his form in the last couple of games has been good and that seems to have impressed the manager.”
“But, the thing is that John is not too keen on vice captaincy at the moment. However, he will be quite happy to be there as a player whenever he is called up.”
John Obi Mikel has got more experience at the international level than any other player in the current Nigerian set up.
The 28-year old wore the Nigeria jersey for the first time in 2005 and ever since, he has had the opportunity to represent his country 64 times in which he has scored 4 goals.