Former Super Eagles Captain Mikel Obi recalls playing for Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup two hours after his father’s abduction.
Speaking with Dubaieyes 103 podcast, the former Chelsea Midfielder revealed, he was informed about the situation just two hours before Super Eagles last Group game against Argentina.
“It was horrible experience, two hours before the game I got a phone call from my brother that dad hasn’t been kidnapped, I didn’t know where to start from, because I was getting dressed for the game and my phone started ringing then I found out that it was my brother. I spoke with him and asked for their demands.
“I was shivering and wondering who I’m going to talking. It took about 20 minutes for me to decide, if I’m going to play the game. “
“I finally decided to play because I was the captain of the team. And it was against Argentina, the last Group game and we needed to win to qualify or go out. So I couldn’t share my problem with the dressing room, because it’s going to demoralize everyone . I told them after the game.”
Asked what was going through his mind during the game, Mikel said:
“Few time I thought I was going to throw up on the pitch , because I kept on taking water . Because I was afraid my dad could get killed.”
Mikel’s father regained freedom after the midfielder had reportedly paid N10 million to the kidnappers.
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