We Have to be Very Cautious – John Obi Mikel States Eagles Readiness

By Nuel Nonny | 22nd March 2016

Super Eagles midfield maestro who plies his trade with Chelsea Football Club of England John Obi Mikel, says the Super Eagles of Nigeria need to play as a unit to get the maximum points in the double header against Egypt.

Mikel stated this while speaking on Tuesday at the media parley after the training session inside the main bowl of the Abuja national stadium, Mikel urged the team to “fight for the same thing”.

“We have to go in together as one team and make sure that we all fight for the same thing,” he said.

“Frankly speaking, I don’t really know much about the Egyptian team but from what I have heard of them, I know that they are a good team; that they are a team that plays good football.

“That they are very quick, they are very fast. With these, we have to be very cautious, very tactical to make sure that we control the game at every point.”

Concerning fears that the weather in Kaduna could be a challenge, Mikel said:

“The weather, I am not going to say it’s going to be an issue, [but] it’s always difficult to play back home because the weather is always hot. Back in Europe, you can always play 1 hour 20 minutes without getting tired.

“But after 20, 30 minutes here, it’s like you’ve played for two hours. Anyway, it’s our job. We have to make sure that we control the game. The more control we have of the game, the less we run and the more we can be able to win the game.”

Mikel reiterated his readiness for this game psychologically, saying: “I am very ready. I am always ready; it’s the same thing as every other game I have played for this country. I always want to do my best. I always want to give my best.”