New Mikel is hot

Mikel Obi’s low scoring rate has attracted criticisms but the Chelsea midfielder seems to have rediscovered his scoring boots for the Blues and the Super Eagles, reports ’TANA AIYEJINA
Seven years, 185 games, one English Premier League goal. That is the story of Nigerian midfielder, Mikel Obi at English giants Chelsea.
Mikel has been a part of Chelsea since the summer of 2006. And having played 282 games, winning the FA Cup four times, the Europa League once, the Champions League.once and the Premier League once, Mikel has had a successful career.
But one thing had eluded the 26-year-old Nigerian over the years until September 21, 2013 — his first ever Premier League goal.
The goal finally came that Saturday against Fulham, when Frank Lampard’s 84th minute corner kick was headed down for Mikel by
skipper John Terry and the Nigerian blasted home frfom inside the six-yard box to the joy
of manager Jose Mourinho- who has often
been accused as having changed Mikel’s
attacking style to a more defensive approach-
and Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich.
The goal sealed a 2-0 win and brought back
the Blues to winning ways, having not won
since their second league match against Aston
Villa.
Mikel’s last goal in England before then was in
the 2006/07 season.
“I have been trying to reach him to no avail.
I’m absolutely delighted because I always tell
him he can do it whether at club or national
team level, but he has to move closer to the
goal area,” the man who is being credited to
have ‘revived’ Mikel, Super Eagles coach,
Stephen Keshi said.
Mikel actually started scoring again under
Keshi, after a four-year goals drought, and
the former Nigerian captain is hopeful that
his midfielder keeps the scoring touch.
“He (Mikel) has done it on one or two
occasions with the national team and there
should be nothing special about his scoring
for Chelsea. But a lot also depends on how
Mourinho wants him to play for the club. I
am sure the goals will start pouring in for him
now”, he said.
Even though he had represented Nigeria at the
2003 U-17 World Cup and scored a goal as
the Golden Eaglets crashed out in the group
stage of the tournament, Mikel’s awesome
talent caught the eye two years later at the
U-20 World Cup in Holland.
A mainstay in Coach Samson Siasia’s midfield,
Mikel served as the engine which powered the
entire Flying Eagles team to the final, only to
lose to a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina side
2-1.
His ball holding and dribbling skills, excellent
distribution of passes and leadership qualities
stood him out in a Nigerian side that also
paraded talented players like Taye Taiwo,
Chinedu Obasi, late Adefemi Olubayo, Dele Adeleye and several others.
These qualities didn’t escape world football ruling body, FIFA, who named the Jos-born
player second only to the inimitable Messi for
the Adidas Golden Ball for the tournament’s
best player.
Besides, Mikel also had an eye for goal,
converting a penalty kick in the crucial final
group game against Switzerland help the team
qualify for the second round.
After his performance in Holland, it was
apparent that Mikel’s Norwegian club, Lyn
Oslo, would no longer be able to hold on to
their prized jewel.
Mikel joined Chelsea in 2006 and after initial
glimpses of his attacking prowess, he scored
two FA Cup goals in his first season. Lots of
his fans were caught in awe as the player
gradually withdrew from his attacking style to
a more defensive role.
The story was not different even at national
team level. The 26-year-old scored at the
2006 and 2008 Africa Cup of Nations but had
to wait four years before he hit the back of
the net again in a 2013 AFCON qualifier
against Liberia in Calabar, courtesy of a
penalty kick.
However, traces of the old attacking Mikel began to show at the 2013 AFCON in South Africa, with the midfielder given a more attacking and free role by Keshi.
“Keshi gave Mikel a free role in the national team. He can move forward as he likes
because there is a capable backup in Lazio’s
Ogenyi Onazi. The coach wants more scoring
options,” Ben Alaiya, Eagles media officer
said.
He added, “In today’s football, all that matters
is the totality of the game. It’s a collective
effort where everybody must make a
contribution. Godfrey (Oboabona), a defender,
scores for his club and the national team. So,
I think Mikel’s scoring is an addition for the
squad.”
Mikel set up several goal moves as Nigeria
claimed the African title for the third time.
Reveling in his new-found form, Mikel headed
to Brazil with a fresh drive and to the relief of
his fans, he scored a superb goal for Nigeria
in the 2-1 defeat to Uruguay.
Former Golden Eaglets captain, Shegun Fetuga,
says Mikel’s latest goal is a good omen ahead
of the final 2014 World Cup qualifiers against
Ethiopia.
He said, “We saw him score for Eagles and
now that he has started scoring in the Premier
League, it will boost his morale. I am happy
that the positive development is coming at a
time we will be playing Ethiopia for a ticket to
next year’s World Cup.”