Chelsea’s Mikel proud to lead Nigeria to Olympic medal

Forum 7 years ago

Chelsea’s Mikel proud to lead Nigeria to Olympic medal

The midfielder was over the moon after Dream Team VI triumph on Saturday secured Rio Olympic Games football bronze medal

Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel expressed his pride after Nigeria U23’s 3-2 victory over Honduras ensured they won the 2016 Olympic Games bronze medal.

The victory was secured by Sadiq Umar’s brace and second half from Aminu Umar and also ensured Nigeria join East Germany, Hungary, Serbia and Brazil as they only countries to have won all the medals in the Games’ men football event.

A successful campaign in Brazil have sparked optimism about the Super Eagles’ chances of qualifying for the 2018 Fifa World Cup Russia having missed out of two consecutives Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

“To lead this team to an Olympic medal, and make Nigerians proud - this is why I play football,” Obi tweeted.

The 29-year-old was outstanding throughout the competition and got one of Nigeria’s goals in the 2-0 quarter-final defeat of Denmark.

Having ended the championship on a high, he is expected to return to the Stamford Bridge where he is expected to battle for a regular place in Antonio Conte’s squad.

Mikel has also been named in Nigeria’s squad to face Tanzania in next month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.