It is no exaggeration to say that if John Mikel-Obi does not bring his “A’ game to the World Cup, Nigeria’s chances of escaping from a very difficult looking Group D will plummet from very hard to full on impossible.
The Super Eagles may have qualified handily from a difficult looking World Cup qualifying group (included favourites Algeria and Cameroon) but the team’s performances in friendlies have raised a lot of doubt about the team’s quality.
Mikel’s ability to shield the ball and prompt attacks with his excellent range of passing will be the key for coach Gernot Rohr’s side which is expected to play a quick counter-attacking style at the World Cup.
He is the only midfielder capable of carrying the ball forward from midfield and his composure and calmness on the ball will be needed for when the team will be under pressure from the opposition’s midfield.