Mikel slams Iwobi for Eagles camp negativity

Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has criticised Alex Iwobi for creating what he described as harmful negativity in camp during the build-up to Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying play-offs in Morocco, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Mikel said the video posted by the Fulham midfielder from the team’s hotel in Morocco was ill-judged at a time when full concentration was required.

The former Chelsea midfielder said the timing and impact of the video were damaging. He said the act may not have been intended to criticise the authorities, but should never have been made public.

“Alex. Yes, that picture may have been taken innocently, and he may have posted it innocently. But again, as a player who plays in Europe and lives in a nice accommodation, he should have known better two days before the game. You don’t put that up.”

He noted that the post triggered an online backlash and increased scrutiny on the team, which he believed was unnecessary before such an important fixture. Reflecting on his own approach as captain, he said he would have intervened immediately.

“If I were the captain and I saw that, I would have told him to take it down straight away. Take it off your Instagram. Take it down. We do not need that. We do not need that.”

Mikel argued that Nigeria should never have been in a scenario requiring play-offs and said the negative atmosphere around the team was partly responsible for the eventual outcome.

“We had already put ourselves in this situation of playing these two play-off games when we should never have been in that situation. There was just too much negativity leading up to the game. It affected the whole team,” he added.

He insisted that the players failed to meet the required standard on the pitch, saying, “If we cannot beat Benin and DR Congo and Gabon, mate, we should not be going to the World Cup. We should not be.”

The retired midfielder then broadened his criticism to the wider structure of Nigerian football, calling for reforms that would restore professionalism and pride.

“To go forward, to create the right environment, to bring the right structure that can help develop this country from top to bottom, we have to do things right. And to do things right, you have to end the corruption. It is eating us alive.”

Mikel concluded by urging the authorities to provide a stable and motivating environment that would allow the Super Eagles to excel and re-establish dominance on the continent.

He said, “You have to make that place a fortress so that whoever comes to play against you knows they are losing here today. Give them what they need. Provide for them. Whatever you have to do, do it.”