Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi played one of his best games for the Super Eagles against Kenya last month in Nairobi, setting up two of Nigeria’s three goals and generally dominating the midfield in the later stages.

It has now emerged that the midfielder was so desperate to play the game that he knocked on coach Shuaibu Amaodu’s door on the eve of the game pleading for a place in the starting line-up.

Mikel had been on the mend following an injury sustained while at his English Premier League Club, Chelsea, leading Amodu and his coaches uncertain about his match fitness or psychological state, and a decision was taken to leave him out due to the critical nature of the game.

A team source told Tidesports’ source that after finding out that he might be left out of the line-up, Mikel went to coach Shuaibu Amodu to ask that he was fit and willing to play.

“The coach told him that he was not sure if he was in the right physical and psychological state to play the game, but Mikel surprised Amodu when he said “coach, I am ready to die for you today if you play me.

“We need this World Cup ticket and I am ready to do everything for us to win this match, Amodu told him he would consider the request,” the team official informed the source.

After considering with his assassins, Amodu decided to name the Chelsea star in his starting line-up and the midfielder immediately took charge, specially up to the first time at the pre-match prayer huddle where he charged his teammates to give everything for the World Cup ticket.