Why Super Eagles flopped during 2014 World Cup — Mikel opens up

By Daily Sports on June 1, 2018

John Obi Mikel has revealed the details behind Nigeria’s failed expedition at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, claiming there was ‘no good vibe’ in the team.

After being held to a 0-0 draw by Iran in their first game, Stephen Keshi’s men defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina in their second match before bowing 3-2 to finalists Argentina in their last group fixture.

The Super Eagles progressed to the Round of 16 but bowed 2-0 to France courtesy of late strikes from Paul Pogba and Joseph Yobo.

Before the team’s exit at Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha, they had shunned training owing to pay dispute with the Nigeria Football Federation.

And with few 14 days to the 2018 World Cup, where the Tianjin Teda midfielder will lead Gernot Rohr’s team against Croatia, Iceland and Argentina in Group D, he revealed what led to the 2014 set’s failed expedition.

“There were a lot of problems in the camp which a lot of people didn’t see, the media didn’t see – we kind of hid it under the table,” Mikel told The Guardian.

“The relationships between the players were not good and there was no discipline. There was no good feeling, no good vibe.

“It almost got to people being pinned up against dressing-room walls, although not quite. It was confrontation and arguments. Players wanted to do their own thing and they didn’t think about the team.”

Before the below-par outing in Brazil, the Super Eagles had same issues in South Africa 2010 – which led to then president Goodluck Jonathan suspending the senior national team to allow a reformation.

“There were massive problems in the camp and that’s why the president got upset,” he continued.

“He said: ‘Until you guys fix yourselves up, that’s it. No more.’ The public were upset but they were in support of it because they also wanted whatever was going on to stop.

“We couldn’t keep going to tournaments and making a mockery of ourselves.”

The three-time African kings square up against England in Saturday’s international friendly before taking on the Czech Republic on June 6. 

Story called from goal.com. Photo shows Mikel in action for Nigeria 

Source Daily Sports

Posted June 1, 2018


 

You may also like...
Champions League final moved to Paris from St...

Nigerian Coach Sets Record, Qualifies Team For European...

Portugal names airport after Ronaldo

Napoli Reject Manchester United Approach for Koulibaly

WAFU B tourney: Eaglets to arrive Accra today...

Mueller, Ozil, Can out of Brazil clash

 

Latest News Nigeria beat Cameroon to reach IHF final 27 schools for Doregos Basketball Championship Super Falcons to play France’s Les Bleues in friendly SWAN suspends ban on coverage of Anambra FA activities Joshua among boxing’s top three earners in 2024 Oshoala makes history with Bay FC Nnamani hails team over IHF bright start Flamingos lift U-17 W’Cup Fair Play Trophy Rangers Intl, SWAN partner on sports collaboration in SE LAGOS SWAN CELEBRATES AIG ZONE 2 ON HIS BIRTHDAY AND 30 DAYS IN OFFICE Traders Cup: Upholstery Soccer Team Secured 2nd Win To Advance To Round Two Lagos SWAN Celebrates Oba Akiolu, Iyaloja General, AIG Fayoade

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,142 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,269 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,351 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (43,992 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (43,932 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (43,879 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,718 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,289 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,333 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,036 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,490 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (38,916 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media