Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has delivered a crucial message to the Nigerian national team players as they prepare for their critical World Cup playoff match against Gabon this Thursday.
Mikel's Confidence and Warning
The Chelsea legend expressed strong confidence in the Super Eagles while issuing a serious warning about the challenges ahead. "I am very confident, coming from the way we finished the last two games, the momentum I think that we've built," Mikel stated on his Obi One Podcast.
Mikel emphasized that the players now understand the consequences of failing to qualify for the World Cup. "Now they have that feeling. Now they can feel that pressure, and I think now they know the magnitude of not going to the World Cup. It's going to be a disaster," he added.
The Gabon Challenge
Nigeria will face the Panthers of Gabon on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat at 8 pm Nigerian time. The match will be played in what Mikel described as "no man's land" due to the neutral venue in Morocco.
"It's going to be tough. It's going to be really, really tough. Difficult game. Games that are going to be played in Morocco. There are no home fans. There's no home advantage," Mikel warned.
Camp Preparations and Tournament Path
The Super Eagles camp officially opened at the Rive Hotel in Rabat on Sunday, with 14 players already present as preparations intensify. The Nigerian Football Federation confirmed the squad's arrival in Morocco for this crucial encounter.
The stakes are incredibly high for the three-time African champions. If Nigeria beats Gabon, they will face either Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of Congo in the final of the African playoff for a slot at the intercontinental playoff.
Mikel, who played at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, stressed the importance of maintaining focus solely on the Gabon match. "Don't think ahead of playing either Cameroon or whoever. No, Gabon, we need to win," he emphasized.
The former midfielder understands what's at stake, having been part of the last Super Eagles squad that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and participated in the 2018 FIFA World Cup - Nigeria's most recent appearance at the global tournament.
As the countdown to Thursday's match continues, Mikel's message serves as both motivation and reality check for Eric Chelle and his players who carry the hopes of a nation desperate to return to World Cup football.
