John Obi Mikel has acknowledged the threat posed by Algeria, but is confident the Super Eagles will come out victorious in the last eight clash, SportPremi reports.
Both countries face-off in the quarterfinals of the ongoing 2025 African Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco, to determine who progresses to the next stage of the tournament.
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Nigeria and Algeria last met at the AFCON in 2019, when the latter won 2-1 on their way to lifting a second African title.
Everything Mikel said ahead of Algeria clash
John Mikel Obi was part of the squad the last time Nigerian won the African Cup of Nations tournament in 2013 and also played in the Super Eagles meeting with Algeria in 2019.
The former Chelsea midfielder has urged the players to remain focused on the clash, despite the ongoing row with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) over unpaid bonuses.
“We have to win the next game, we have to make sure we approach the game the right way because it’s going to be a very difficult game against Algeria.
“I have watched them play a couple of times. They are a very good team, play as a team. They are very aggressive, they’ve got good and quality players, so we have to be on our A-game”, Mikel revealed.
“There shouldn’t be any hindrance, distraction, or negativity. So we have to make sure we sort out any negativity that’s going to happen.
“Are the players being paid their bonuses? Whatever they have been promised needs to be sorted out before this game. I believe we can go all the way and win it”, he added.
The former Super Eagles captain also acknowledged the improvement in the team and hailed the likes of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi and Wilfried Ndidi.
“I like to see Victor Osimhen win the highest goalscorer because he deserves it. Ademola Lookman as well playing really well. Both of them absolutely on fire,” Mikel continued.
“Alex Iwobi in this tournament has been absolutely fantastic. I have been waiting for this from Alex Iwobi for a long time. Finally we can see the Alex Iwobi that we all know, playing well, everything going through him, creating chances, those passes.
“Of course Ndidi, the captain as well, the mainstay of the team who keeps the balance. Everything is working perfectly for the team but we have to go on now and win the tournament”, he concluded.
The Super Eagles will face Algeria in their quarterfinal clash on Saturday un Marrakech, with the winner going ahead to face either Cameroon or Morocco in the semifinal.
