Nigerian Captain John Mikel Obi has revealed that he is thinking of going into business after quitting the sports that brought him fame and wealth.
The former Chelsea midfielder will lead the Super Eagles to the African Cup of Nations in Egypt, which he also stated might be his last for the country, after making his debut in the tournament back in 2006.
Speaking ahead the Super Eagles warm up game with the TerrengaLions of Senegal, Mikel said: ‘“Life after football? I don’t know if I will still be in the game, I have a lot of things going on. I like to do business, I’m a business guy so I don’t know if I will have time to be in the game.
“I love the game but who knows, maybe one day, I might come back to the game but at this point, after football, I am not thinking about being in the game.”
Mikel also added that this may be his last Africa Cup of Nations appearance for Nigeria since he made the Super Eagles debut in August 2005 in an international friendly game against Libya.
“I do not know but I think it may be (my last AFCON). I like to go every year and see how I feel. Obviously, the young players are coming, I think before the next one comes around again I will be 34 or so.
I think this will probably be my last AFCON but I’m not 100 percent sure yet. I have given so much to this nation and at some point, you have to let go. I don’t want to overstay my welcome. I will leave when I feel the time is right. Let’s hope we can make it count.”
Mikel will be hoping to lead Nigeria to her fourth African Cup of Nations glory when the tournament kicks off in five days time in Egypt.
Nigeria is placed in Group B against Burundi, Guinea and Madagascar, with the Eagles’ opening game against Burundi slated to hold at the Alexandria Stadium on June 22.
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