Former Nigeria midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has alleged that John Obi Mikel used his influence within the Super Eagles to affect national team selections during his time as captain.
Speaking on the Home Turf podcast, Onazi claimed Mikel’s authority in the squad extended beyond leadership on the pitch and into decisions about which players were invited to the national team.
“Mikel Obi was too influential when he was in the Super Eagles,” Onazi said.
“When Mikel was playing, there were some players, because of his influence, he made for them not be invited to the Super Eagles.
“He is my senior man. But there are things he did that I didn’t like.”
Photo Credit: Imago
The former Lazio midfielder cited winger Anthony Nwakaeme as one example, claiming the player’s limited international opportunities were influenced by internal dynamics rather than form.
“He didn’t even know him, Nwakeme is a type of player that doesn’t like running but wants to have the ball in his feet to do his thing, so he asked about him”
“One of such players was Tony Nwakaeme,” Onazi added. “Mikel said it himself when we were eating in a restaurant in Istanbul and he apologised to him. This is one of many.”
Onazi, Mikel and Nwakeme played together at Trabzonspor. Photo Credit: Imago
Nwakaeme, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most consistent club performers over the past decade, earned just one senior cap for the Super Eagles, a 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw against Algeria in November 2017.
The winger enjoyed title-winning success with Hapoel Be’er Sheva in Israel, where he was named league MVP in 2017, before becoming a key figure and fan favourite at Trabzonspor in Turkey.
In 2019, Nwakaeme publicly stated that he believed he deserved more opportunities with the national team.
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Onazi’s comments have revived debate around the balance of power within the Super Eagles setup during the period following Nigeria’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations triumph.
Photo Credit: Imago
Mikel was a dominant figure in that era, captaining Nigeria to AFCON glory in 2013 and later to Olympic bronze in 2016. At club level, he won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the UEFA Champions League during an 11-year spell with Chelsea.
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Onazi was also a key member of Nigeria’s AFCON-winning squad, playing every minute of the knockout stages in 2013 and starting all four matches at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
