With a semi-final clash against Germany in view, Captain of Nigeriaโs Dream Team VI, Mikel Obi, speaks about his determination to lead the team to its second Olympic Menโs Football Tournament gold medal.
Read the full interview below, as culled from FIFA.com:
FIFA.com: Congratulations on making the semi-finals. In your opinion, why has this team worked so well?
Mikel John Obi:ย Sheer determination, effort, togetherness and unity in the team. Itโs been absolutely amazing. Also the team is built to play offensive football and to express ourselves and make sure we create chances and score goals. I think itโs hunger and willingness to help each other on the pitch, to run for each other. We know exactly what to do when we play. I think thatโs very important and thatโs exactly whatโs got us here.
How have you found the Olympic experience so far, compared with the many experiences in your career?
Itโs been absolutely amazing. Itโs been an experience that has reminded me of when I started playing with the U-17s and U-20s. Iโve enjoyed my time here and the experience has been very good. Playing with these guys, theyโre great players. The energy, power and pace they bring to the game is just different. Iโm very happy to be in this team and to be a part of this great experience.
In terms of your position on the pitch, youโre taking up a more attacking midfield role than youโve been accustomed to at club level. Are you enjoying that role?
I grew up playing in a more offensive position, but whatโs happened has happened. Iโve been playing holding midfield for 11 years now. But every time I come back to the national team, I play more offensively. I always try and make sure I make the team play and create chances. I enjoy it. Itโs great to play in that position again.
What have you enjoyed most about being a captain? What are you passing on to these young players?
Experience. Iโm giving them a bit more knowledge that theyโll need in these kinds of games, because these have been high quality games. These guys look up a lot to me a lot, so I have to lead by example. I try to make sure I run as much as I can, so they will see that and run as much as they can! You have to lead by example. As long as I keep doing that and as long as we keep winning, for me the team is important. Individual performances are good, but as long as the team is playing well and winning, Iโm very happy with that.
Has the quality of the games surprised you?
Itโs surprised me a lot. The quality is amazing. Itโs like playing in the Champions League. One mistake and itโs a goal, trust me. Itโs been like that. Our defence has been solid, so letโs hope we keep going that way. The less we concede, I think we can create chances and hurt teams. Weโve shown that in this tournament. If we donโt concede, Iโm sure we can score goals.
What would it mean to you to play for the gold medal at the Maracana?
One step at a timeย (laughs).ย To be honest, I havenโt thought about it yet. I donโt see past Wednesday. The Germans are a very good side, so we have to make sure we do our job. With this team, we donโt concentrate much on what the other teams do. We concentrate more on what we can give and offer on that day. The game before is gone. Itโs about what we can produce at that time and in those 90 minutes or however long weโreย going to play for. We always try to concentrate on that, and I think weโve done that so far, so I donโt think weโre going to change.
Youโve won the UEFA Champions Leagues, two Premier Leagues, four FA Cups and the Africa Cup of Nations. What would an Olympic gold medal mean to you and to Nigeria?
Itโs going to mean a lot. Itโs going to mean the world to me. Itโs going to be the icing on the cake. As much as anyone, I want to win. This is what it means to me no matter what Iโve won. I think winning with this team is going to be amazing. Iโm hoping and praying for that.
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