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The Nigerian captain motivated his decision to organize an international return before his participation in the Afcon 2019 final
Nigerian captain John Obi Mikel said his return to international football was in line with the discussion he had with coach Gernot Rohr, in which they had agreed that he would come back only when he would feel ready to redouble his efforts.
Mikel returned to the Super Eagles in the friendly against the Warriors of Zimbabwe – which ended in a goalless draw – for the first time since the 2018 World Cup, when Nigeria left the competition in group stage.
"I'm still very motivated and if I'm not, I will not come to the camp," he told the media after Saturday's game in Asaba.
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"I told the coach that I would come back to the Eagles when I was ready, I would come back and when I came back, I could give 100%.
"The team has been fantastic so far because of the way they played and I came to offer my experience and help the team so we can have a good tournament."
The former Chelsea actor added that he and other experienced members of the national team would continue to keep young players on the team under their proverbial wings.
"The Super Eagles camp is a good learning ground for the players present," he continued.
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"In the absence of [Wilfred] Ndidi, [Abdullahi] Shehu and the others, it is also good that we have flashes of talented players who have been able to prove their value.
"We have seen the quality of the team against Zimbabwe. We just have to keep talking to them.
In the Afcon finals in Egypt, which will start on June 21st, the Super Eagles have been clbadified in Group B alongside Burundi, Guinea and Madagascar.
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