Mikel: Nigeria are in a really good position

• Nigeria lead Group B forward of double-header opposite Cameroon
• Mikel scored one and set adult another in 3-1 win over Algeria
• Super Eagles captain is fighting to recover full aptness

John Obi Mikel is zero if not confident when it comes to Nigeria’s hopes of subordinate for a 2018 FIFA World Cup Russiaâ„¢. Although Africa’s third turn of subordinate usually reaches a median indicate during a finish of this month and commencement of September, a Super Eagles captain believes a place during a tellurian finals is within their grasp.

Group B, in that Nigeria are already 4 points transparent of second-placed Cameroon and 5 forward of Zambia and Algeria, positively creates for pleasing reading. And yet 4 tough games have still to be negotiated, Mikel is upbeat about their prospects of commanding a list and claiming a section’s solitary mark during Russia 2018.

“We are in a really good position in a group,” a 30-year-old Tianjin Teda midfielder told FIFA.com. “We have dual wins from dual games, and in a final diversion we kick Algeria during home. We have a really good immature organisation and a players play good football. If we can win a subsequent compare (at home to Cameroon on 31 August) it will corner us closer to qualification. we consider we can go through.”

For a former Chelsea star, a vigour to make it to Russia is immense. And as he explained, that is not simply due to a expectations of supporters in his football-mad homeland. “My mother is Russian,” he said, “and many of a kin and friends are from Russia. They are all awaiting Nigeria to validate for a subsequent World Cup. we consider they will kill me if we destroy them,” he added, laughing.

Crunch ties
For all his confidence, Mikel is underneath no illusions that a residue of Nigeria’s debate will be easy. Looming large, after all, are back-to-back meetings with reigning African champions Cameroon, who have drawn both their matches so far. The Super Eagles captain knows that these meetings on 31 Aug and 4 Sep will go a prolonged approach towards determining a group’s outcome.

“As everybody knows, they are a really good team,” he pronounced of Cameroon. “They are clever and they play with confidence. We contingency get ourselves good prepared for this diversion and try a best to get on tip opposite them. It won’t be easy yet these are critical matches. If we win both, we will be roughly there.”

What a night, what a win! Three points, tip of a group, and a idea ! Still a prolonged approach to go yet WE BELIEVE #SuperEagles #Russia2018 pic.twitter.com/zd1dqget4O

— Mikel John Obi (@mikel_john_obi) November 13, 2016

As competence be approaching given his purpose as captain, Mikel has figured prominently in Nigeria’s subordinate debate so far. Notably, he scored one and set adult for another in their many new triumph: a 3-1 win over Algeria in November. However, damage has kept him sidelined over new months, causing regard for supporters of both bar and country. Mikel, though, has vowed to do all within his energy to be fit for this critical arriving double-header.

“I had confirmed good form until this injury,” he said. “So it was a shame. But this is partial of a diversion and now we am focusing on liberation and on entrance behind stronger. we will do whatever we can to get fit to play for Teda and my inhabitant team.

“This Nigeria organisation demeanour adult to me for advice. My team-mates skip me and they need me. As a captain, we wish to do my purpose and assistance them with my experience.”

A renowned career
Mikel positively has extraction that few of his African peers can match. He pennyless on to a stage during a 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup, when he helped Nigeria impetus all a approach to a final, where they were edged out by a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina.

In a comparison ranks, he helped Nigeria to a 2013 African Cup of Nations pretension and, some-more recently, starred for a Super Eagles during Brazil 2014, where they reached a second turn for a initial time given 1998.

At bar level, he won only about all on offer during a festive 11-year spell with Chelsea, vacating Stamford Bridge carrying claimed a UEFA Champions League title, dual English Premier League crowns and 4 FA Cups. Such achievements, however, merely offer to smooth his ardour for more.

“I am blissful with what we have done,” he said. “But during a same time, we am not satisfied. we wish to grasp more, so we contingency pull harder. The subsequent World Cup in Russia will be a uninformed possibility for us but, first, we have to make it there. Then a subsequent plea will be to make certain we suffer an even improved contest in Russia than we did in Brazil.”

Article source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=8/news=mikel-nigeria-are-in-a-very-good-position-2902682.html