2018 World Cup; Mikel Obi Reveals Why He Is Happy With Super Eagles’ Underdog Tag

Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi, has revealed that the underdog’ tag associated with the team will be of immense help when hostilities begin in Russia next month. 

The Super Eagles are the least ranked side in Group D and the 31-year-old believes it will only reduce the pressure on the players.

According to the recent FIFA Rankings, Eagles are ranked 47th in the world and have been zoned along with fifth-placed Argentina, and Iceland, currently occupying the 18th spot.

However, the Tianjin Teda midfielder is unperturbed with the standings as he believes that the squad can spring up surprises in Russia just as they did by qualifying for the global tournament.

“Honestly, people didn’t expect us to qualify but we are off to Russia and now it’s all about the rankings,” Mikel told BBC Sport. “When you look at the group I’d say we are more than happy for people to write us off and very happy to be the underdogs.

“It takes the pressure off the shoulders of our young squad and we can go about our World Cup with humility, which is perfectly fine. “Football is played on the pitch and not by rankings or permutations.

“We’ve got a blend of experienced and young squad playing without fear but with passion, which is good for us on the road to Russia.”

Meanwhile, Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, has said ill Super Eagles goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme, will be part of the team to the World Cup, but as the 24th player.

Nigeria have included an extra player on their roster in previous editions of the World Cup, with Clemens Westerhof and Festus Onigbinde taking Tijani Babangida and Peter Odemwingie to USA 1994 and Korea/Japan 2002 respectively.

Ikeme, who is recovering from illness, played in the second round of the African World Cup qualifiers against Swaziland and was in between the pipes when Nigeria beat Zambia away in their first game of the third round.

”Until the last moment, there is a possibility of bringing in these players. Carl Ikeme will be 24th player to world cup;told reporters.

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