My Russian In-Laws Will ‘Kill Me’ If Nigeria Miss Out On 2018 W/Cup – Mikel Obi

Nigeria national team captain John Mikel Obi said he will be “killed” by his European in-laws, if the Super Eagles fail to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup which will be staged in Russia, the home country of his in-laws.

The 30-year-old Super Eagles Captain who currently plays as a midfielder for Chinese super league club Tianjin TEDA and married to Russian woman, Olga Diyachenko said his 2018 World Cup host in-laws are eager to see Nigeria make it to the tournament and will not accept anything less.

Super Eagles are currently at the top of Group B with 6 points having played and won matches against Algeria and Zambia.

Indomitable Lions of Cameroon are currently in second place with with 2 points, having drawn two matches.

The Chipolopolo of Zambia are third on the table with 1 point, while the Fennec Foxes of Algeria are at the bottom with 1 point.

“My wife is Russian. And many of our relatives and friends are from Russia,” Mikel told FIFA.com.

“They are all expecting Nigeria to qualify for the next World Cup. I think they will kill me if I fail them.”
Looking ahead to the crucial home game against Cameroon in Uyo on Serptember 1, the former Chelsea player, who just recovered from injury, expressed confidence that a win for the Eagles will edge them closer to Russia.

“We are in a very good position in our group,” the Tianjin Teda midfielder said.

“We have two wins from two games, and in our last game we beat Algeria at home. We have a very good young team and the players play good football. If we can win our next match (at home to Cameroon on 31 August) it will edge us closer to qualification. I think we can go through.”

The 2013 AFCON winner also cushioned the team not to take for granted the Cameroonian team, who are currently the African champions.

“As everyone knows, they are a very good team,” he said of Cameroon.

“They are strong and they play with confidence. We must get ourselves well prepared for this game and try our best to get on top against them. It won’t be easy but these are important matches. If we win both, we will be almost there.”

The 30-year-old midfielder expressed sadness over his injury but stated that he is ready to resume playing and help the national team and also his Chinese club.

“I had maintained good form until this injury. So it was a shame. But this is part of the game and now I am focusing on recovery and on coming back stronger. I will do whatever I can to get fit to play for Teda and my national team.

“This Nigeria team look up to me for advice. My team-mates miss me and they need me. As the captain, I want to fulfil my role and help them with my experience,” he added.

On his achievement as a footballer, the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Champions League winner, says he still wants more titles.

“I am glad with what I have done,” he added. “But at the same time, I am not satisfied. I want to achieve more, so I must push harder. The next World Cup in Russia will be a fresh chance for us but, first, we have to make it there. Then the next challenge will be to make sure we enjoy an even better tournament in Russia than we did in Brazil.”