By Daily Sports on July 19, 2019

Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel and Nigerian forward, Odion Ighalo have announced their retirement from international football.

Mikel’s decision to quit the national team came hours after the country's third-place finish at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations .

Mikel battled injuries in Egypt and was limited to two games during the group stage, against Burundi and Madagascar.

The former Chelsea player has been a key member of the Super Eagles since he made his debut appearance against Libya in August 2005.

During his stint in the national team, Mikel played in two Fifa World Cup tournaments and four Africa Cup of Nations, where he won the title in 2013 and a bronze medal in 2019.

"Egypt is a country where I’ve started and have finished my national career," Mikel wrote on Instagram.

"In 2006 I played my first official championship for my country. 2019 African Cup of Nations marks my last championship for the national team with Super Eagles.

"My national career started in 2003, under 17 World Cup and I’m grateful to the national team for placing me on the world arena and giving me an opportunity to show my skill and have an incredible national and international career.

"At the age of 32, it’s time for me to retire from the national team and let the youth take over, who’ve done an amazing job securing a bronze medal at Afcon 2019.

"Thank you to all my Nigerian supporters and to my country for all the trust, support and love you’ve shown me over the past 15 years."

During the Afcon campaign, Mikel secured a permanent switch to Turkish Super Lig outfit Trabzonspor, where he will play in the 2019-20 season alongside compatriots Ogenyi Onazi and Anthony Nwakaeme.

In a related development, Ighalo also announced his retirement following the Super Eagle’s third placed victory over Tunisia on night at Egypt 2019 but the announcement has yet to be made public.

Odion, who is the highest goal scorer in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, informed Coach Gernot Rohr of his decision before leaving to join his club in China immediately after the game.

“He had discussed his decision with the coach before the third-place match, saying that the constant abuse was taking a toll on his young family but he was advised to keep it under wraps for the moment. After the game, he gave his jersey as a souvenir to the coach, said his goodbyes and left,” a source stated.

Prior to the game, the 30-year-old posted a message on his WhatsApp status update that simply said “Final Game”.

“He has been very strong for us,” Rohr said, “And it is sad that he wants not to continue.

“But the door always is open for him any time.”

Ighalo, something of a late bloomer, made his senior debut for Nigeria in 2015 as the Super Eagles lost 1-0 to Uganda in a friendly.

He made 35 appearances for Nigeria, scoring 16 goals.

He was also top scorer through the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with four goals and he could also finish the tournament as top scorer having scored five in Egypt.

•Based on reports by Goal and The Nation. Photo shows Mikel Obi

Source Daily Sports

Posted July 19, 2019

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