Former Super Eagles midfielder and Chelsea star, Mikel Obi has voiced strong criticism of players of African descent who choose to represent non-African countries.
In a recent episode of the ObiOne Podcast, the 37-year-old expressed his frustration with players who, after pursuing international careers with European nations, only turn to their African roots when their initial options fail.
Mikel, who proudly represented Nigeria across various age groups and earned 89 caps for the Super Eagles, has been a devoted servant to his national teams. His commitment was notably highlighted when he financially supported the Nigerian U-23 team at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
During the podcast, Mikel criticized the trend where players born outside Africa initially aim for European countries like England or France. He pointed out that many of these players only consider playing for their African countries when their European ambitions don’t materialize, often when they are past their prime.
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What Mikel Said: “They want to play for England, France, whatever it is, and then they wait,” Mikel said. “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. You should be proud of your African roots, and you should be proud to represent your African country.”
He further emphasized his point with a stark statement: “If you decide you want to play for England, stick to it. Sit and wait, but don’t wait till you’re 29 or 30, you’ve passed your best, then you’re like ‘Oh, Nigerian FA, I’m ready to play for you now.’ No, f–k off, mate.”
Mikel’s comments reflect a growing sentiment within African football circles that players should maintain a consistent commitment to their national teams, rather than treating them as fallback options.
