Former coach of the Super Eagles, Samson Siasia has given insights into his strained relationship with legendary midfielder John Mikel Obi during their time together.
Siasia, who is currently serving a reduced five-year ban from football activities, discussed his experiences with Mikel while featuring as a guest in the latest episode of the ATHLST podcast.
He described the former Chelsea star as “stubborn” and acknowledging the challenges he encountered in managing him.
“Mikel Obi is a little bit out of my league, stubborn and I cannot tolerate people like that,” Siasia said.
Despite the tension between them, Siasia recognized Mikel’s importance and leadership abilities, particularly emphasizing his role in Nigeria’s bronze medal victory at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
While acknowledging the challenges posed by Mikel’s stubbornness, Siasia praised the former Super Eagles captain for his performance and leadership throughout the Olympic campaign, crediting him as a crucial figure in guiding the team as its captain.
“The only good thing he did was that Olympics he came out and played because I had warned him severally, and he played as a captain and that’s why we got to where we did,” he added.
Mikel represented the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, for over a decade.
He played a pivotal role in several African Cup of Nations campaigns and notably captained the team to victory at the 2013 tournament.
Mikel’s leadership, vision, and technical prowess have earned him widespread acclaim, making him one of Nigeria’s most celebrated football icons.
