“The naming of captain for the team is the responsibility of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and not the ministry ad this goes to show the lack of knowledge on the part of those in charge of our sports”, a former Olympian, who pleaded anonymity said.
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Mikel has been selected as the Nigeria Olympic Team captain, alongside table tennis star Funke Oshonaike as the assistant team captain, which means that they will lead Nigeria’s Olympic selection out at the opening ceremony in Rio.
A statement from the sports ministry said Mikel was chosen because of his role as a patriotic worldwide footballer while Oshonaike was chosen because of her experience.
NAN reports that the Dream Team VI, Team Nigeria’s male football side, is expected to depart for Rio from Atlanta in the USA, where they have been training, on Friday.
“If you look at my track record at Chelsea, I have always played for the team, I have always been a team player, I have never been an individual player, so I think this is something I will be carrying into the Olympics and carry into Team Nigeria to make sure that we are successful”.
“This is the highest accolade you can ever have as a sportsman and it’s one I am really looking forward to”. In any sane clime, Segun Toriola will be automatic choice as Team Nigeria captain but no, not in our dear country.
The midfielder who is one of the over-aged players in the Dream Team left Chelsea’s pre-season camp in Austria to join up with the Nigerian football team in Atlanta.
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On this being his first Olympics, the 29-year-old midfielder said: “I don’t think it will be a disadvantage”. Sometimes, people grow into leadership and sometimes people are born with leadership qualities.
