Who will save Nigeria’s soccer sensation, John Mikel Obi, from an avoidable drift towards self-destruction? Who can hammer it into his sub-conscious that ‘pride goeth before a fall?’ Where is the Nigerian who will tell him that the times are apparently not the best for him, after feigning injury, that he will not lace his boots for his fatherland in the Nations Cup crucial match against the Cranes of Uganda on Saturday?
John Mikel is, no doubt, on the cross, and he needs prayers.
Not after the sad end of Etim Esin have Nigerians witnessed a football enfant terrible like Mikel, whose every step has been dotted by rage and controversy. Controversy on-and-off the pitch! Controversy over his real age, even his tackles and conduct on the pitch are always greeted with rage and controversy.
That, perhaps, explains why he received more cautions – yellow and red cards – more than any other Chelsea player in the just-concluded season. And now, Mikel’s middle name is ‘Controversy’.
While the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) are poised to drag him and his boss, Jose Mourinho, to FIFA’s court in Zurich, the midfield ace may have played his last match for Nigeria against the Cranes on March 24 in Abeokuta. Our source in Kampala told Daily Sunsport that the rest of the Super Eagles players have vowed to take on the NFA if they fail to call Mikel’s bluff and deal with him by the laws of football.
Mikel has now become unnecessary distraction in the national team. His refusal to honour Berti Vogts’ invitation has been described as insult, despite the fact that he plays for one of the top clubs in Europe.
The shadow of controversy follows Mikel everywhere he goes and he needs God’s deliverance to completely remove the dirty garment, and turn a new leaf.
From the way he was transferred from the Pepsi Academy Youth side to the Lyn of Oslo and the long battle to play for the English side, Chelsea, Mikel should have known that his career is surrounded by unseen forces.
Although he had recorded some achievements with Chelsea since he joined the club, the player had earlier given Blues manager, Jose Mourinho, sleepless nights.
Just like the way he ignores Vogts’ invitations Mikel would stroll to Chelsea training camp, even from his new home outside the club hostel.
It took Mourinho some days to decide on what to do with the Nigerian player, as he didn’t consider the pains they went through before the club could win the controversial battle from the Premiership rivals, Manchester United, to get the services of the Nigerian.
And when he joined the club, he has since become a daily subject in the English newspapers over his acts of indiscipline.
So, it is no longer news that Mikel ignored Vogts invitation. The boy has no respect for any authority. The German coach has to ‘take the Bull by the horn’ and read out the riot act to check the swollen head of the Chelsea’s defensive midfielder.
Vogts has every right to sanction Mikel because no player is bigger than his country. The Eagles’ tactician should do it the German way, and get rid of the enfant terrible of the Nigerian football for now.
Meanwhile, a columnist in the Ugandan newspaper, Monitor, had celebrated the absence of stars such as Seyi Olofinjana, Chris Obodo, Yusuf Ayila and John Mikel Obi, describing it as 'no-name non-entities', and the description appears to have put the cat among the pigeons.
Sparta Rotterdam's World Youth Championship silver-winning midfielder Sani Kaita was miffed.
"It is an insult, and they will learn, that day on the field, not to insult our players, when we finish.
They don’t know anything and they’ll see how non-entities play," stated the midfielder, whose disciplined play from a holding position allowed Mikel the freedom to play at the World Youth Championship.
Kaita also more than held his own against a more experienced Ivorien midfield, led by Tottenham Hotspur's Didier Zokora in the 0–1 loss to Ivory Coast at the 2006 African Nations Cup semifinal.
If the usually taciturn Kaita was pissed-off, Orlando Pirates' Onyekachi Okonkwo was livid, "Apart from Obua, who do they have in their team? Because they were lucky to play us on a bad pitch they think they can make noise? They should be prepared for war!" he declared.
And Viborg FF's Paul Obiefule was simply too upset to speak, "Please let me look at something else," he snarled. "Look at even Uganda talking too. They better be prepared to pack their midfield that day, because non-entities will teach them a lesson.
| Posted: at | |
Dguy
phatboy
KazirLucidity
TRENDING GISTS 
Osun State University Teaching Hospital Announces 14-Day Deadline For Unclaimed Bodies
Bank Customer Creates Scene After Coming Out To Find Out His Bike ‘disappeared’ From Premises (Video)
Ipswich Town Promoted to The Premier League After 22 Years
Billionaire's Daughter, DJ Cuppy Shares Wedding Bliss & Dreams Of Her Own Love Story
Tragic Tanker Explosion Claims Lives In Delta State, Including Mother & Child
Actress & Entrepreneur, Wofai Fada Announces Engagement With Stunning Beachside Photos