Chelsea star Mikel Obi is the new Nigeria captain after Ahmed Musa relinquished the position at a press briefing in Kaduna Thursday, saying this is to “right the wrong” previously done.
Last year, the 23-year-old Ahmed Musa was named Eagles skipper by former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh, who overlooked the seniority in the team which would have installed vice-captain Mikel as team captain following the retirement of Vincent Enyeama from international football.
Mikel will therefore lead Nigeria in tomorrow’s must-win AFCON qualifier against Egypt in Kaduna.
Chelsea midfielder Mikel debut for the Eagles in 2005, while CSKA Moscow winger Ahmed Musa made his Nigeria bow five years later.
Ahmed Musa declared: “Something happened before I was made the captain of the Super Eagles then. There was a mix-up.
“But right now, we have a new administration. Mikel is my senior and a big brother. So, Mikel is the captain, not me.”
Mikel described Ahmed Musa as a “wonderful professional”, commending his courage to surrender the captaincy to him.
“I want to thank Ahmed Musa for being a wonderful professional,” he remarked.
“It takes a man to come out and do what Ahmed Musa has done today. So, I commend him a lot for doing that.”
