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Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel isn’t holding back. In a bold statement, the Chelsea legend made it clear that he won't step into football administration in Nigeria unless there's a major shake-up.
Former Super Eagles captain and Chelsea legend John Mikel Obi has issued a bold ultimatum regarding his potential involvement in Nigerian football administration.
In an honest interview making the rounds on X (formerly Twitter), Mikel made it clear that he will not step into any football leadership role unless there is a significant overhaul of the current system.
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19:52 - 18.06.2025
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Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel once again spoke up against corruption in the country's sporting system and the debt he believes he is owed after the Rio 2016 Olympic games debacle
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Calling for a Clean Sweep at the Top
Mikel Obi did not mince words as he highlighted the deep-rooted issues plaguing Nigerian football in a conversation with former England star Peter Crouch.
“What we have to do first of all, before we get there, I have always said it, it has to start from the top. We must make sure we root out the corruption going on, starting from the FA, the people in charge,” he stated.
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“We have to change the mentality on how people see those who organise Nigerian football,” he declared, pointing to the corruption and mismanagement starting from the Nigerian Football Federation (FA) and those in charge.
He emphasised the urgent need to change the mentality surrounding football administration in Nigeria, which he described as "not run properly".
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Mikel's Vision for a Better Future
The former midfield maestro, who also named his ultimate five-a-side, stressed the importance of investing in youth development, proper academies, and facilities to nurture the next generation of Nigerian footballers.
"We don’t have all that," he said, but expressed confidence that Nigeria has the financial resources to make these improvements, citing the country's wealth from oil.
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Mikel criticised the current leadership for clinging to power and money, stating, "You don’t have the right people running it. They don’t want to let go of the money, the power they get from it".
Standing Firm on Principles
Despite receiving calls to join football administration, Mikel has stood firm on his conditions.
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"Before I get involved, there have been phone calls, but I have said no. Those people need to go; I can’t work with them. I need people I can have the same objectives with," he asserted.
Mikel’s statement stresses the urgent need for reform in Nigerian football and sets a clear benchmark for anyone hoping to enlist his expertise in the sport’s governance.
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This development adds to the ongoing conversation about leadership and accountability in Nigerian football, with many fans and stakeholders hoping for a new era of transparency and progress.
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