Former Super Eagles captain and Nigerian football legend, John Mikel Obi, has shared his confidence in Nigeria’s chances ahead of the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff, asserting that Mikel Obi names 4 players who will help Super Eagles beat Gabon in World Cup playoffs. The ex-Chelsea midfielder emphasized that the players he mentioned have the quality, experience, and leadership needed to propel Nigeria past Gabon and back on the global stage.
Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, is currently on the brink of missing out on back-to-back World Cups, having failed to qualify for the 2022 edition in Qatar. The upcoming playoff against Gabon is therefore seen as a do-or-die battle to keep their 2026 World Cup dreams alive. Mikel Obi, who captained Nigeria to its last World Cup appearance in Russia 2018, believes the team can make it through if the right players take responsibility and perform at their peak.
In a chat on his Obi One Podcast, the legendary midfielder revealed that Mikel Obi names 4 players who will help Super Eagles beat Gabon in World Cup playoffs — Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, William Troost-Ekong, and Chidozie Awaziem. According to him, these players, who were all part of the 2018 World Cup squad, understand the pressure and expectations that come with representing Nigeria at the biggest stage.
Mikel explained that the team’s success would depend on a collective effort, not just on star striker Victor Osimhen, who has been in fine form recently. He urged the players to replicate the intensity and teamwork they displayed during the 4–0 victory over Benin, a performance that restored fans’ confidence in the team.
“I hope we can get Osimhen to deliver again the way he did in the last game when he scored a hat-trick,” Mikel said. “But it’s not just about him. We need others like Iwobi to create chances and score goals because that’s what a number 10 should do. Ndidi needs to show his leadership in midfield, while Troost-Ekong, as captain, must keep the defence organized and motivated. We have enough experience and quality in the team to get the job done.”
The Nigerian team is currently training in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of the playoff scheduled for November 13. The players are camped at Rive Hotel, close to their training facilities and the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, where the showdown against Gabon will take place.
Mikel, who was known for his leadership and composure during his playing days, reiterated that Mikel Obi names 4 players who will help Super Eagles beat Gabon in World Cup playoffs because he believes they represent the core of experience within the current squad. Having played under Mikel’s captaincy in 2018, these players are expected to guide the younger ones and ensure Nigeria stays focused throughout the qualifiers.
He warned that failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup would be a huge embarrassment for a nation with such rich football history and talent. “It would be disgraceful if this generation of players, with all their skill and exposure, cannot qualify for the World Cup,” he said. “This is the time to show leadership, unity, and determination.”
The Super Eagles will have to defeat Gabon before facing the winner between Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the next stage of the playoffs. If successful, they will then advance to the intercontinental playoff for a ticket to the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Mikel’s comments come at a time when many Nigerians are questioning the team’s consistency and tactical discipline. However, his belief in the squad’s key figures has reignited hope among supporters that the Super Eagles can still turn their fortunes around.
With his passionate call for Iwobi, Ndidi, Troost-Ekong, and Awaziem to step up — alongside Osimhen’s firepower — Mikel has effectively thrown down the gauntlet. The message is clear: the road to redemption starts with discipline, teamwork, and experience.
As Nigeria prepares for this make-or-break encounter, one thing is certain — the Super Eagles’ fate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers may well depend on the four players Mikel Obi names who will help the Super Eagles beat Gabon in World Cup playoffs.
Credit: Legit.ng
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