The captain of the Nigerian Senior National football team known as the Super Eagles, John Obi Mikel retires from international football, after a disappointing outing at the ongoing Total AFCON 2019 in Egypt.
John Obi Mikel who is still just 32, on Thursday 18th July 2019 took to his Instagram account to put out a post announcing his exit from the National team. He said:
“Egypt is a country where I’ve started and have finished my National career. In 2006 I played my first official championship for my Country. 2019 African Cup of Nations marks my last championship for National Team with Super Eagles.
My national career started in 2003 under 17 World Cup and I’m grateful for 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.
Mikel out!”
Playing for the Super Eagles of Nigeria has been a mixed feeling for the former Chelsea man, and during one of the games at the group phase of the ongoing AFCON in Egypt, he was heavily criticized for his lacklustre performance, after which he never featured again for the Eagles, allegedly due to an injury he sustained.
Although, Mikel did not achieve his goal of lifting the AFCON as a captain for the Super Eagles, he was part of the Nigerian team that won it in 2013 and yet another Bronze last night.
From us here, we say a big congratulations to Super Eagles and African Legend for everything thing he has done for the green jersey and football in general.