Mikel Obi has opened up on the episode in which the NFF booked the Super Eagles return tickets two days to their 2013 AFCON quarterfinal against tournament favourites Cote d’Ivoire.
The former Chelsea star gave a detailed account of the saga in his latest Obi One podcast.
“NFF booked our return tickets two days before our match against Cote d’Ivoire,” he began.
“They came into my room and asked me ‘are you flying back to London or Nigeria?’
“It was kind of funny.
“Everyone thought we were going to lose to the super team of Cote d’Ivoire that had Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou.”
Before that epic clash against the Ivorians, Mikel also engaged in a banter with Chelsea teammate Kalou, who came up against him in that game.
“Kalou told me I should be ready, he said he was going to smash me and he will tell (Didier) Zakora to kick me because ‘you are the guy, we have to take you out’.
“And in the game, Yaya Toure and Zakora came for me.”
Mikel further revealed he was “flying” as he brought to the AFCON the form that had helped Chelsea win the UEFA Champions League.
He said the Eagles knew they will win the AFCON after they eliminated the tournament favourites Cote d’Ivoire.
“After Cote d’Ivoire, it was done, but it wasn’t easy,” he recalled.
“We were a team of close friends and we had a fantastic human being and coach in Keshi, who got the best out of us.”
Ten years after that epic clash, both countries are set for a rematch on Thursday, January 18, in a 2023 AFCON Group A clash in Abidjan.
