Chelsea’s Mikel shifts focus to 2018 World Cup qualifiers

Forum 7 years ago

Chelsea’s Mikel shifts focus to 2018 World Cup qualifiers

The midfielder has put behind him Gabon 2017 blow and looks ahead to challenge for a ticket to Russia when the qualifiers starts in October
John Obi Mikel has put behind him Nigeria’s 1-0 win against Tanzania in their final Group G game of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.

Kelechi Iheanacho’s 77th minute strike silenced Charles Mkwasa’s men who had hoped to cage the Eagles at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.

However, the victory was insignificant as the three-time African kings will be missing in action when the tournament gets underway in Gabon.

And the Chelsea star now eyes the 2018 World Cup qualifiers which begins in October 2017.
“I always strive to be exemplary and to live as a model for others,” Obi told Goal.

“I know how important the [qualifiers] are in our bid to qualify for the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia. That was the reason why I came for the Tanzania encounter which is a good preparation for the clash against Zambia.

“We all must do our part. We should not continue to dwell on the past to move forward.

We must put our house in order if we are to play in Russia."

Gernot Rohr’s men must negotiate their way past Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia to book a place in Russia.