If Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr changes captain John Mikel Obi’s position in his line-up for Nigeria’s important clash against Iceland, the Tianjin TEDA midfielder will welcome the move because it is for the progress of the team’s success at the 2018 Fifa World Cup.
The Jos-born midfielder displayed a lacklustre performance in his side’s tournament opener against Croatia. Okenegharo Etebo’s 32nd minute own goal and Luka Modric’s penalty strike on the 71st minute handed the Vatreni a vital victory in Group D.
.@NGSuperEagles land in Volgograd, set to battle Iceland…https://t.co/tAswUb3tKj #SoarSuperEagles #NGA #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/YSNFptKC5u
— The NFF 🇳🇬 (@thenff) June 21, 2018
Several calls from top pundits and the Nigerian media has called for the skipper to be dropped from his attacking midfield role to the defensive duties he enjoyed in his eleven-year spell at Chelsea. Mikel welcomes the move if it occurs.
“I am the captain of this team. If I have to sacrifice for this team to progress, I will. If I have to sacrifice a position, go play wherever, I will do that for this team to win games,” the 31-year-old told reporters ahead of their clash against the Boys on Friday.
…If I have to sacrifice for this team to progress, I will. – Captain @mikel_john_obi #SoarSuperEagles #WorldCup #NGA #NGAISL #Team9jaStrong pic.twitter.com/si5BWGZohE
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) June 21, 2018
Speaking on the crucial contest, the China based player said: “We are very hopeful and confident because everything is still in our own hands. It just depends on how much we want it. The result against Croatia was disappointing but we can fix it.”
The 2013 African champions will face Argentina in their last group fixture.
