Captain Mikel Obi set for 80th appearance for Nigeria
Super Eagles’ captain, Mikel Obi will be making his 80th appearance in proper grade A match for Nigeria, if selected against Algeria or later against Argentina
Twenty more matches including the scheduled one with Argentina next week, other pre World Cup friendly matches and at least the three group games at Russia 2018, Mikel Obi may just clock 100 caps.If fielded in Friday’s match with Algeria, Mikel will be, the fourth most capped Nigerian international after those of Vincent Enyeama (101 caps), Joseph Yobo (100) Kanu Nwankwo (86) and the late Muda Lawal also on (86).
Incidentally, all those with over 80 international appearances have been captains of the Nigerian team.
Mikel made his international debut when he came in as a substitute for Chris Obodo in an August 17, 2005 friendly match with Libya in Tripoli.
In his 79 matches so far, he played as substitute or was substituted 18 times, scoring 6 goals.
Mikel has played all tiers of national team football for Nigeria and participated in all FIFA final competitions. Staring with 2003 Under 17 World Cup in Finland, the U-20 in the Netherlands in 2005, the Under 23 football tournament of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro 2016, the FIFA Confederation Cup in Brazil 2013, the FIFA World Cup in Brazil 2014 as well as featuring for Chelsea in the FIFA Club World Cup in 2012.
