Sports
Has Mikel Obi Retired From The Super Eagles?
For the third straight time Mikel Obi has been left out of the Super Eagles squad causing one to wonder whether the former Chelsea star has quit international football but officials are not in a hurry to make this big announcement.
When the Eagles captain was left out of the AFCON double-header against Libya, officials said the team wanted to allow him time to recover from some niggling injuries.
Eagles spokesman Toyin Ibitoye will go as far as assuring that Mikel will be back for the qualifier in South Africa.
On Sunday, he captained his Chinese Super League club Tianjin Teda and even scored his second goal of the season.
But he is again missing from the Eagles latest selection to provoke more questions like whether he has finally taken his bow from international football, like Victor Moses did soon after the World Cup in Russia.
Or will he now be only available for selection at the AFCON proper next year?
Or is it that he no longer fits into Gernot Rohr’s plans?
Or that he has insisted on playing a free role in midfield than grafting in defensive midfield for the national team?
In his absence, Alex Iwobi has fitted in nicely in Mikel’s preferred Eagles role playing behind the top striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
That was in itself something of a controversy at the World Cup in Russia after the legendary Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha went public to say Mikel is not a No 10 and rather his nephew was better suited for such a role.
Jose Mourinho, who converted Mikel to defensive midfield in his time at Chelsea, also shared that position.
And Rohr surrendered to the pressure by playing his captain as the screen of his four-man defence in the crunch group game against Argentina which Nigeria needed a result to go through to the knockout stage.
The leader of the Super Eagles will now miss six of his team’s games since after Russia 2018 – this will include four AFCON qualifiers.
At 31 and a full international since 2005, Mikel is no spring chicken and it will not come as a surprise should he decide call time on his international career.
The player ought to now come out and explain the true situation or if he does not wish to do so, the coach or the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should douse the growing speculations surrounding the status of the Eagles captain.
Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, and a former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, have commended the Super Eagles for their performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) despite their semi-final defeat to Morocco.
Nigeria lost 4–2 on penalties to the host nation after a goalless draw over regulation time and extra time on Wednesday, ending the Super Eagles’ bid for a place in the final.
Reacting via his X handle on Thursday, Obi praised the players for their resilience and commitment, urging them to remain focused ahead of the third-place match.
“Dearest gallant Super Eagles, it was a battle well fought, and heads were not bowed.
“Thank you for a beautiful 120 minutes of incredible play. You showed your strength and prowess against all odds.
“The journey is not over. You have made the nation proud. Keep your heads high, the Eagle never stops soaring. There is another stage, let’s go get that medal. You have done well,” Obi wrote.
Also reacting on Facebook on Wednesday, Omokri said the Super Eagles deserved praise for their effort against a formidable host side.
“It was not for want of trying that the Super Eagles lost to Morocco. I am super proud of their effort today, as all Nigerians should be. Great teamwork,” he wrote.
Omokri added that the circumstances of the match made the performance even more commendable.
“It is worth stating that they played against a home squad that has never lost a home game in sixteen years. Yet, with all that pressure, they still gave it their best measure. Well done, Super Eagles!” he said.
Nigeria will face the Pharaohs of Egypt in the tournament’s third-place match on Saturday at 5 p.m.
Senegal, who earlier defeated Egypt 1–0 in their semifinal on Wednesday, will meet Morocco in Sunday’s final for the AFCON 2025 crown.
Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) President Samuel Eto’o has been handed a four-match ban for alleged misconduct during the team’s 2-0 defeat by hosts Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations last Friday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said in a statement.
Eto’o was reportedly seen making an angry gesture over refereeing decisions in the presence of CAF President Patrice Motsepe.
Players from both sides also jostled each other, and CAF said on Sunday it had opened investigations into violent confrontations during AFCON matches.
CAF’s disciplinary board fined Eto’o $20 000, a decision FECAFOOT said “lacks any explicit justification”.
“The expedited procedure leading to this decision raises serious concerns regarding the fundamental requirements of a fair process,” FECAFOOT said on Thursday, adding it would appeal.
“FECAFOOT reaffirms its support for its president and its commitment to respecting the principles governing credible disciplinary justice,” it added.
Hosts Morocco will play Senegal in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was the hero with two saves in the shoot-out as hosts Morocco beat Nigeria 4-2 on penalties to set up an Africa Cup of Nations final showdown this weekend with Senegal after a tense last-four clash on Wednesday finished 0-0 at the end of extra time.
Bounou saved from Samuel Chukwueze and brilliantly from Bruno Onyemaechi, allowing Youssef En-Nesyri to convert the winning kick and spark wild celebrations inside the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
There was joy but also relief for Hamza Igamane, who had appeared distraught after his kick was saved by Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
He was the only Moroccan player to fail to score in the shoot-out, however, with captain and talisman Achraf Hakimi among those who converted their penalties.
Morocco will now play Senegal on Sunday after the Lions of Teranga defeated Mohamed Salah’s Egypt 1-0 in the other semi-final earlier thanks to a Sadio Mane goal.
That will be a clash between the top two African sides in the FIFA world rankings and a fitting showpiece for the tournament.
Walid Regragui’s Morocco have been under enormous pressure to deliver a first AFCON title for their country in half a century but will be confident of coming out on top with their support behind them at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
But as their dream remains alive it is an agonising way for Nigeria’s hopes to end, two years they lost the final to the hosts in Ivory Coast.
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