Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel, has been announced as the new captain of the Super Eagles.
The cheery news was announced by Ahmed Musa, who was the skipper until yesterday. The CSKA Moscow winger replaced Vincent Enyeama, after the goalkeeper announced his retirement from international football.
“I want to announce now that from today, John Obi Mikel is our new captain,” Musa said at the Eagles’ press conference, ahead of Friday’s AFCON 2017 qualifier against Egypt.
Musa who was flanked by interim manager, Samson Siasia and Mikel Obi during the announcement posited that it was not right for him to be the captain when a senior player like Mikel was in the team.
Mikel thanked Ahmed Musa for being a model professional and promised to lead the Eagles to a win against Egypt.
The change in the Eagles captaincy is in line with the thinking of the interim coach, Samson Siasia who wants the role to be taken by the longest-serving player.
Twenty-eight-year-old Mikel has 72 caps for Nigeria and will also receive a special award after Friday’s game to honour him for being the current national squad member with the most appearances. He was a key member of the side that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. His English club, Chelsea celebrated Mikel’s new role in the Eagles by making him the cover star of the latest Chelsea magazine.
