Ahead of Friday’s all-important World Cup clash against Iceland, Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr has said that John Mikel Obi was ready to play in any position to help the team.
Nigeria lost scandalously to Croatia in their first Group D game on Saturday, with many Super Eagles’ fans blaming the coach’s decision to deploy Mikel as an attacking midfielder.
Super Eagles legend, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha had also joined in the criticism, urging Rohr to deploy Mikel as a defensive midfielder, which he played under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, in subsequent matches.
Mikel himself said in a press conference at the Eagles Essentukiia base that, “I have worked with Mourinho for a long time and he knows me very well.
“I have played in this advanced role for close to two years now and people never complained until we lost this game.
“I understand the feelings of everyone because of the result and how we played.
“Personally, I am ready to play anywhere the coach wants me to play.
“I am comfortable with any of the roles, whether in a more offensive or defensive role. The most important thing is the team.”
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