Sports
Ancelotti Puts Trust In Mikel
Things are getting better and better for Nigeria international midfielder John Mikel Obi.
Just days after signing a new five-year contract with Chelsea, new coach Carlo Ancelotti has made it clear Mikel will not only be an integral part of his plans for the new campaign, but will, in fact, be the heartbeat in his new tactical deployment.
“I have a lot of trust in Mikel. I think he can be the playmaker of this team. He is a young player, but has great quality, both technical and tactical.
“For the present and for the future he is a very important player for us. We are very happy he has signed a new contract and I hope that he stays at Chelsea for a lot of years. I would like that he puts in his great quality for the team,” Ancelotti said.
It is the kind of praise that pushes a player to give more than his all, especially for a coach who has won the top prizes in club football. Mikel is no exception and says he is honoured to be the recipient of such high praise.
“He was a great player himself and it is a great honour that he sees something in me. He says I am a player with great qualities, but thinks I can be even better. It is going to take a bit of time, but I am going to work very close with him to make it happen.”
Ancelotti says the Nigerian still needs to add a few more qualities to his game. It is something the Nigerian star is looking forward to with some relish.
“He likes the fact I am strong and can play with the ball, but says that I still need to add more things to my game – if I do that then he thinks I’m going to be fantastic. Hopefully things are going to go well and he will bring out the best in me.
“I have worked with him for two weeks and we are trying to get to know the formation he wants to play. Before the season starts we are all going to be mentally focused and we’re going to get the system right. The team wants to win titles and this is why he is here.”
Mikel has picked up two FA Cup winners’ medals and one in the League Cup in his time with Chelsea, but the Champions League continues to be a burning ambition.
“The manager has won it twice as a player and as a manager and I really envy him for that. We have come close so many times and I think that is why the club has brought him here, to take us to that final step.
“I haven’t talked to him yet about what it’s like to win the Champions League, but I hope he will have a big impact on my career. The way he has come in and the ideas he has as to how to set the team up, I think we can win everything.”
The decision comes after Benin failed to secure approval for any of their home stadiums from the Confederation of African Football.
As a result, the federation opted to play its “home” fixture at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé.
The first leg of the second-round qualifier will be held in Togo on October 24, whilst the return leg will take place four days later in Nigeria on October 28.
The aggregate winner over the two legs will advance to the 2026 WAFC
Ferdinand soared to victory on Saturday, lifting an impressive 153kg to clinch gold in the women’s up to 79kg category and further cement Nigeria’s legacy in the sport.
Her remarkable feat added to Nigeria’s growing medal haul at the historic championship after Nworgu had earlier won silver in the 50kg category, whilst Ajiboye claimed bronze in the same class.
Nworgu narrowly missed gold to Venezuela’s Clara Fuentes, who edged her out for the top spot in a fiercely contested competition.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, congratulated the athletes on their outstanding performances, commending their relentless drive and patriotic spirit.
“Our athletes continue to make us proud, showing the world that Nigeria is a force to be reckoned with in para powerlifting. Their bright start in Cairo reflects the depth of talent, discipline, and dedication that define Nigerian sports,” Olopade said.
“The NSC remains steadfast in providing the necessary support to ensure our champions keep soaring.”
The 11th World Para Powerlifting Championships, taking place from October 9 to 18, 2025, marks the first-ever edition to be hosted on African soil, a milestone event highlighting the continent’s growing influence in adaptive sports.
The National Sports Commission had expressed confidence in the team’s readiness and determination to uphold Nigeria’s longstanding reputation as a force to be reckoned with in global para powerlifting.
The hosting of the championships in Cairo represents a significant moment for African para sports, providing an opportunity to showcase the continent’s growing infrastructure and commitment to disability sports.
Nigeria has established itself as one of the leading nations in para powerlifting, consistently winning medals at major international competitions, including the Paralympic Games and World Championships.
The 10-day competition has attracted top para powerlifters from across the globe, all vying for world titles in their respective weight categories.
The National Sports Commission reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Team Nigeria throughout the competition as the athletes aim for more podium finishes and continue to make the nation proud.
Nigeria’s strong start in Cairo has raised expectations that more medals will follow as the championship progresses, with several other Nigerian lifters yet to compete in their respective weight categories.
The NEC said the only intention of the suspended members of the association is to create confusion, wondering why they leverage the use of thugs to create confusion while colluding with illegal security operatives.
In a firm resolution reached by the NEC and endorsed by the National Secretariat, SWAN reaffirmed that Ms. Olatutu Oladunni and Mr. Bello Omotunde, former Chairperson and Secretary of the Lagos Chapter respectively, remain indefinitely suspended from all activities and structures of the association.
The association has consequently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), drawing attention to what it described as a dangerous pattern of intimidation, impersonation, and misuse of security operatives by the suspended duo to disrupt peace within the Lagos sporting and journalistic community.
In the petition signed by SWAN National President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, and Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, the association said the suspended officials are attempting to stage an unauthorised election in Lagos on Thursday, October 9, 2025, despite prior notification of their suspension to both the Lagos State Police Command and the DSS Directorate.
SWAN recalled that during the Lagos SWAN Congress held on September 17, 2025, Ms. Oladunni mobilised more than eleven (11) police vehicles and armed operatives to a peaceful gathering of sports journalists — describing the act as “a brazen show of force, abuse of privilege, and a deliberate attempt to intimidate members.
“The so-called Lagos election is not only illegal but also an affront to the authority of the National Executive Council,” the NEC resolution stated. “The individuals behind this plot have no mandate or legitimacy to act in the name of SWAN. Their continued defiance constitutes gross misconduct and will attract further disciplinary measures.”
The association warned that any security officer or agency that lends support to the illegitimate exercise would be aiding an unlawful activity and undermining the association’s recognised constitutional order.
SWAN therefore, urged the IGP and DG DSS to restrain the suspended officials, maintain neutrality, and prevent any misuse of security institutions in matters internal to professional associations.
Reaffirming its authority, the NEC through the National Secretariat, reserves the power to supervise or approve elections in state chapters, stressing that any activity outside that structure “is null, void, and of no effect whatsoever.”
“The NEC of SWAN stands firm in defending the unity, credibility, and sanctity of the association,” the statement added. “We will not permit any act of indiscipline, impersonation, or external interference that threatens our stability and professional integrity.”
The association further assured all members nationwide of its commitment to due process, accountability, and the protection of journalists’ rights, urging them to disregard the actions of the suspended individuals and remain guided by the decisions of the National Executive Council.
-
Niger Delta2 days agoDiri Attracts More Accolades Over Bayelsa’s IPP
-
Maritime2 days agoNRC Generates ?1.95bn Revenue In Q1 2025, Records 37% Growth – Says NBS
-
News2 days agoFUBARA GIVES RAFFOUL ONE-MONTH ULTIMATUM TO COMPLETE WOJI–ALETO–ALESA–REFINERY ROAD
-
Politics2 days agoDefections: Only Undertakers Remaining In PDP — APC
-
Oil & Energy2 days agoOML18: NNPC, Sahara Launch 2.2m-Barrel Floating Vessel
-
Education2 days agoCSS Okuru-Ama Wins 2025 total/elf book reading competition
-
Rivers3 days agoRSG Moves To Protect Vulnerable Children … Plans Regulatory Framework
-
Niger Delta2 days agoDiri, Ibori, Others Pay Tribute To Alamieyeseigha