Mikel Obi Acknowledges Dual Challenge of Leading Super Eagles and Tianjin TEDA

Nigeria’s national team captain, Mikel Obi, has openly acknowledged the substantial challenge of leading both the Super Eagles at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and Tianjin TEDA in the Chinese Super League. Set for his second appearance at the global tournament, Mikel will be taking charge of Tianjin TEDA for his second season as captain this Saturday in their encounter against Hebei CFFC.

Acknowledging the scale of this dual responsibility, Mikel emphasized his focus on Tianjin TEDA’s immediate challenge. He expressed, “It is a daunting challenge and I’m looking forward to both teams (Tianjin TEDA and Nigeria) doing well, but now I’m totally focused with Tianjin TEDA.”

The seasoned midfielder stressed his aspirations for success with Tianjin TEDA in the Super League while also nurturing hopes for a significant Nigerian outing in the upcoming World Cup. Mikel added, “I am looking forward to Tianjin TEDA achieving good results in the Super League, and I also hope that Nigeria can go farther and better in the World Cup.”

Highlighting the competitive intensity of the Chinese Super League, Mikel acknowledged the unexpected strength showcased by various teams, stating, “The Super League is much more difficult than I thought, but since I came to play in the Super League, they have such a strength as foreign teams as well.”

As he braces for the leadership roles on both fronts, Mikel’s focused approach signals his commitment to achieving positive outcomes for both Tianjin TEDA and Nigeria at their respective competitions.