Don’t treat Africa as second option, Mikel Obi warns foreign-born players

Former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi has cautioned footballers with African roots, who opted to play for European countries.

Mikel, who won the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title with the Super Eagles claimed that their fatherland should not be a backup option.

The former Chelsea midfielder stated that such players should not consider playing for Nigeria or their African nation if things don’t work out.

Obi made this known on his The Obi One podcast on Friday while discussing African talents and their reluctance to represent their fatherland while hoping for other countries to give them a call-up.

“I’ve talked so much about players not representing their African roots. We’ve held meetings with these kids, with their parents and said, ‘Listen, you are Nigerian, your dad is Nigeria, your mum is Nigerian, why don’t you represent your fatherland, Nigeria?

”We wanna play for England, France, whatever it is, and then they wait, and then they keep waiting and keep waiting.

“When they get to 25 or 26 and they don’t get a call up from England then they call Nigeria. We shouldn’t be treated as second options. We’re not second options. You should be proud of your African roots, you should be proud to represent your African country,” the 37-year-old said.

There have been a number of talented Nigerians who picked other countries instead of playing for the Super Eagles, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala and a lot more.

Possible explanations for players plying their trade for these countries apart from their country of origin have been early exposure and subsequent integration into the cultures of such country

However, Obi is adamant that the very best of African talents need their country of origin to make a name for themselves.

“I want the best players to play in Africa, so you’d rather make a decision and stand by it. If you decide you want to play for England, stick to it, sit and wait.”

”If you don’t get a call-up, you don’t get a call-up but don’t wait until 29, 30, you’ve passed your best or whatever it is, then you’re ‘Oh, Nigerian FA, I’m ready to play for you now,” he said.