Chelsea FC midfield ace John Mikel Obi has confirmed he would be available and rearing to perform for Nigeria in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Kenya and Namibia and at the FIFA
Confederations Cup tournament in Brazil, all within next month.
The 26-year old, who was supremely influential in midfield as the Super Eagles triumphed at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa in February, said on Saturday he already has an appointment with the
Embassy of Brazil in London on Monday.
“I always love to turn out for my country. I wish to confirm that I will be in Kenya and Namibia for the World Cup qualifying games and will also be in Brazil for the Confederations Cup.
“It’s also true that I would so much have loved to play in the friendly match against Mexico in America, but circumstances and logistics have made this impossible. I love to represent my country,” the player said in a chat with Eagles’ Team Secretary, Enebi Achor.
Midfield Trojan Obi will join the Eagles in Frankfurt, Germany on their return from USA and fly with the contingent to Nairobi aboard a Lufthansa Airline flight in the early hours of Tuesday, June 4.
The player has had a magnificent past year, winning the UEFA Champions League and then UEFA Europa League trophies with Chelsea and the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria. Surely, the Harambee Stars would not be looking forward to seeing him.
Obi was the energetic lubricator who made things happen in the midfield as the Super Eagles overpowered the Kenyans 3-2 in Nairobi on November 14, 2009, in their final match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying series, to send Nigeria to the finals in South Africa.
The match on Wednesday, June 5 will take place at the same venue – Moi
International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Assistant Director (Media) at the NFF, Ademola Olajire stated.
