Former captain of the Super Eagles, John Obi Mikel, continues to show his utmost trust in Victor Osimhen as he tips the Napoli forward to win the Player of the Tournament award at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, which will begin in Ivory Coast in a few days.
Osimhen, who recently won the African Player of the Year award, scored 10 goals in the qualifying rounds for the AFCON, leading all scorers across the continent. He is expected to lead the line for Jose Peseiro’s side when they kick off their hunt for a fourth title.
While speaking to CNN’s Darren Lewis on Wednesday, the former Chelsea midfielder, who led Nigeria to its last triumph at the continental showpiece in 2013, praised Osimhen for his goalscoring prowess.
“He [Osimhen] is on fire,” Mikel stated. “Like I have said a few times, he reminds me of Didier Drogba because they share a lot of similarities.
“He is strong, energetic, can hold up play, and he scores goals. Nigeria is quite blessed in the striking department currently with Osimhen, [Taiwo] Awoniyi, and [Victor] Boniface. But we need to fix some problems in our defence and goalkeeping positions.
“If I am to pick a player who will probably win the Player of the Tournament at the AFCON, then I will surely go for Victor Osimhen,” he added.
Mikel, 36, also stated that he would like to be involved in an administrative capacity for the Nigerian national team.
He said, “I would love to one day be involved with the national team in some capacity.
“I want to be somebody who will try to fix the problems from the top. If it means to be a mediator between the players and FA, to make sure things are run properly and ensure that we have the right people in management so that we can succeed.
“Obviously, success doesn’t only depend on the pitch; it starts from the top. And I think that is where we should start. Like you said, I still maintain huge respect from the players and from the fans as well, so let’s say I play a role as a mediator between the hierarchy and the players.
“It is definitely something I would love to do in the future, but for now, the focus is on the AFCON, and probably after that, we can have the conversation and see where it goes,” Mikel concluded.
Mikel, one of the most decorated African footballers of all time, was instrumental in helping Nigeria claim the AFCON in South Africa in 2013, when they ended the nation’s 19-year drought in the competition.
When asked about his preferred winner for the 34th edition of the AFCON, the former Nigeria international added that he tips the Super Eagles to win the title.
“Nigeria, simple as that,” Mikel said while laughing.
The Super Eagles are drawn in Group A against hosts Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea. They will kick off their participation with a clash against Equatorial Guinea on January 14, before taking on the Elephants four days later in a repeat of the 2013 quarterfinals, and then the Djurtus in their final group game on January 22.
