Super Eagles icon John Mikel Obi is confident that the three-time African champions will emerge victorious in the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) tournament, as reported by npflupdates.com.
Mikel, a key member of the Super Eagles squad that secured Nigeria’s third AFCON title a decade ago in South Africa, shared his optimism about the current team’s capabilities to conquer the 2023 AFCON. He particularly highlighted the impactful role of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, expressing belief that Osimhen would clinch the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
In an interview with CNN World Sport, Mikel stated, “Nigeria will win the 2023 AFCON, and Victor Osimhen will win the player of the tournament. He [Victor Osimhen] is on fire. For me, he looks a little bit like Didier Drogba; he scores goals, he holds up play—a strong, young, and energetic striker.”
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Reflecting on the striking department, Mikel, who played alongside Emmanuel Emenike in the AFCON 2013, acknowledged the current team’s abundance of talented strikers. He mentioned the impressive performances of players like Taiwo Awoniyi and Victor Boniface, emphasizing that Nigeria is well-equipped in the striking force. However, he also noted the need to address some defensive and goalkeeping issues for a more solid team.
While expressing his desire to contribute to the national team in the future, Mikel humorously dismissed the idea of becoming the head coach, citing his aversion to the possibility of being sacked. He hinted at preferring a diplomatic role focused on problem-solving from a higher level.