Former Nigerian national team coach Samson Siasia has shared insights into his relationship with ex-Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi, describing the midfielder as stubborn, platinumnewsng.com is reporting.
Speaking with former international player Emmanuel Babayaro and journalist Matthew Edafe on a podcast, Siasia expressed that Mikel was “a little bit out of my league” and noted his difficulty in managing someone he considered stubborn.
“Mikel is a little bit out of my league. He’s stubborn and I cannot tolerate people like that, that much,” he said.
Despite the tensions, Siasia did not hold back in praising Mikel’s performance at the 2016 Olympic Games where Nigeria secured a bronze medal. He spoke highly of Mikel’s crucial role during the tournament.
“The only good thing he did was the Olympics, he came out and played because I’ve warned him severally.” Siasia commended Mikel’s leadership and his ability to inspire the team, which he believes helped in their success.
Who is Mikel Obi?
Mikel Obi, whose full name is John Michael Nchekwube Obinna, is a Nigerian retired professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He was born on April 22, 1987, in Jos, Nigeria. Mikel Obi began his international career with the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, and was known for his time at Chelsea Football Club in the English Premier League, where he played from 2006 to 2017.
John Obi-Mikel is one of the most successful midfielders in the Premier League. Many fans are familiar with the 37-year-old, who was a Champions League winner with Chelsea in 2012 and clinched the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria in 2013.
His career at Chelsea was quite successful, during which he won numerous titles, including the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Champions League, and UEFA Europa League. Mikel was also a key player for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, captaining the national team at various international tournaments. He was part of the Nigerian squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013 and earned a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
After leaving Chelsea, Mikel had stints with various clubs, including Tianjin TEDA in China, Middlesbrough in England, and Trabzonspor in Turkey, before finishing his career at Kuwait SC.