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Nigeria Super Eagles Captain Mikel Obi Retires From International Football

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Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has announced his retirement from his international football career. He made the announcement known after helping Nigeria to win a bronze medal at AFCON. Nigeria made a third-place finish in the 32nd Total Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt gaining victory in the match played against Tunisia.

 

The 32-year-old confirmed the news through an Instagram post on Thursday, 18th July 2019. He stated that he ended his senior career exactly where he started in 2006. He had sustained an injury during the 2019 AFCON match in Egypt. This resulted in him playing only two games during the group stage.

 

Ever since he excelled at the 2005 FIFA U20 World Cup in the Netherlands, he had been been a key player to the team. Subsequently, he played in the 2006 AFCON championship and scored his maiden goal at the tourney.

 

Mikel Obi also won the 2013 AFCON. Due to his injury, he was an unused substitute in Nigeria’s 1-0 win over Tunisia as they claimed a bronze medal at AFCON 2019.

 

Sharing a picture of himself wearing the national jersey, he wrote the following message:

“Egypt is a country where I’ve started and have finished my National career. In 2006 I played my first official championship for my Country,” he had started his first competitive match for the Super Eagles in Egypt against Zimbabwe.

“2019 African Cup of Nations marks my last championship for National Team with Super Eagles.

“My national career started in 2003 under 17 World Cup and I’m grateful for the national team for placing me on the world arena and giving me an opportunity to show my skill and have an incredible National and International career.

“At the age of 32, it’s time for me to retire from the National team and let the youth take over, who’ve done an amazing job securing a bronze medal at AFCON 2019.

“Thank you to all my Nigerian supporters and to my country for all the trust, support and love you’ve shown me over the past 15 years.”

 

Mikel Obi’s message

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Egypt is a country where I’ve started and have finished my National career. In 2006 I played my first official championship for my Country. 2019 African Cup of Nations marks my last championship for National Team with Super Eagles. My national career started in 2003 under 17 World Cup and I’m grateful for the national team for placing me on the world arena and giving me an opportunity to show my skill and have an incredible National and International career. At the age of 32 it’s time for me to retire from the National team and let the youth take over, who’ve done an amazing job securing a bronze medal at AFCON 2019. Thank you to all my Nigerian supporters and to my Country for all the trust, support and love you’ve shown me over the past 15 years. Mikel am out!

A post shared by Mikel Obi (@mikel_john_obi) on

 

So far, he has spent over 13 years with the Nigerian team and has scored six goals in over 94 matches for the national team.

 

He ended the social media post saying, “Mikel am out!”

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