Sports
“Mikel’s Influence Prevent Some Players Invitation To S’Eagles Camp”
Speaking on the Home Turf podcast, Onazi claimed that Mikel, who captained Nigeria to Africa Cup of Nations glory in 2013, had grown so influential within the squad that his views could shape team selection.
While careful to acknowledge Mikel’s seniority and status, the former Lazio midfielder suggested that not all of that influence was used in ways he agreed with.
“Mikel Obi was too influential when he was in the Super Eagles,” Onazi said.
“When Mikel was playing, there were some players because of his influence, he made for them not be invited to the Super Eagles. He is my senior man. But there are things he did that I didn’t like.”
Onazi cited Trabzonspor winger Tony Nwakaeme as one player affected by Mikel’s influence, claiming the former Chelsea star admitted as much during a chance encounter.
“One of such players was Tony Nwakeme. Mikel said it himself when we were eating in a restaurant in Istanbul, and he apologised to him. This is one of many,” he added.
The comments have drawn attention to Nwakaeme’s international career, which amounted to just a single cap despite a decade of consistent performances in European football.
Nwakaeme’s club career tells a story of persistence and success across several leagues. After early years in Scandinavia and Romania, he built a formidable reputation in Israel, where he became a title-winning star with Hapoel Be’er Sheva and was named the league’s best player in 2017.
His move to Trabzonspor in 2018 only enhanced his standing, as he became one of the Turkish club’s most influential attackers and a fan favourite.
Yet despite that résumé, his Nigeria career consisted of just one appearance – a 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw against Algeria in November 2017. In April 2019, he publicly stated that he believed he deserved more opportunities.
Onazi’s claim suggests that this disconnect between club form and international opportunity may not have been purely technical.
The backdrop to this is the immense authority Mikel held within the national team setup after 2013. A Champions League winner with Chelsea and captain of Nigeria’s AFCON-winning side, he was a central figure for more than a decade.
Mikel won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League during an 11-year spell at Stamford Bridge. Internationally, he won AFCON in 2013, Olympic bronze in 2016, and represented Nigeria at two World Cups and five AFCON tournaments.
Onazi himself was a key part of that golden period, playing every minute of Nigeria’s knockout matches on the way to the 2013 title and starting all four games at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
-
Business3 days agoNERC Amends Order on Meter Tampering, Power Bypass For Discos
-
Business3 days agoNCDMB Signs Mgt Deal With Radisson, Edison…As Board’s 204 Rooms Hotel Open December 2026
-
Rivers3 days agoKENPOLY Rector Promises To Prioritise Students’ Welfare
-
Business3 days agoNigeria, AFC sign $1.3 billion deal to build alumina refinery
-
News4 days agoPolice Arrest Nigerian, Two Others For Kidnapping In Edo
-
Rivers3 days agoDon, Stakeholders Urge Environmental Laws In N’Delta
-
Rivers3 days agoADIAFRICA Flags-off Free Eye Screening Outreach In PH
-
Environment3 days agoIWD: NGO promotes clean energy access for women in Kaduna