Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi has rated his Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medal equal with his UEFA Champions League and Africa Cup of Nations trophy achievements.
Mikel who was part of the Chelsea team that won the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League trophy and also played a key role as Nigeria claim the 2013 AFCON trophy, said he is very proud to captain Nigeria in Rio after missing out of the Beijing 2008 Games while the country failed to qualify for the London 2012 edition .
Mikel returned to Cobham at the end of the Games, only to then go on full international duty and featured in Nigeria’s 1-0 win over Tanzania in a dead rubber 2017 AFCON qualifier at the Nest of Champions in Uyo.
Mikel who preparing with the London club ahead of the Premier League clash with Swansea City said it was a great experience to represent Nigeria in Rio.
“It ranks up there. Obviously the Champions League is the Champions League and winning the African Nations and Premier League are massive, but this is up there with those trophies. I can’t express how proud and happy I am to have achieved this.
“The reception at home was great. The Nigerian people were very happy, it was the only medal we won and they were very proud,” he told the club’s official website.
“As a footballer you probably only get one opportunity to play in the Olympics, it was a great experience and the Brazilian fans were amazing too. They supported us all the way and wanted us to do well, to make the final. It was one of the best tournaments I’ve had”
Mikel however said he was glad to assist the team financially after witnessing problems in the build-up to the Games.
“It wasn’t a great experience in the build-up in Atlanta. There was no food for the guys, no bus to go to training, no pitch to train on.
“Coming into the team I tried to help as much as I can. The boys had suffered for two years, working very hard trying to play in Rio. I wanted to help as much as I could and they all say they owe me. It’s a great
achievement that we managed to go there and win a medal.”
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