Former Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi has once again berated some players who choose to play for their African roots after their prime.
Mikel has continued to advocate for players of African descent to play for their motherland, and he cited Bukayo Saka and Ademola Lookman as a case study. According to him, players should decide what country they want to represent and stick with their plan.
Speaking inside the beIN Sports studios shortly before the UEFA Champions League clash between Atalanta and Arsenal, the former Chelsea star said:
"You have to decide. If you decide from your gut that you want to play for England, France, or Germany, you have to wait.
"If you don't get a call up, then it's your decision. But don't wait until you're 29, 30, when you've past your best then you now want to represent Nigeria or Cameroon.
"We want the best players to represent us, to play in the Africa Cup of Nations."
Mikel praises Ademola Lookman
Sports Buddy reports that Mikel praised Saka and Lookman for making their respective national decisions early in their career.
He added: "Saka is an amazing footballer, and he's made the right decision of wanting to play for England, and he is one of the players in the team sheet.
"I think Lookman made the right decision to switch quickly and say I'm going to play for my African country. "I'm gonna play for Nigeria and he's having an amazing season. Played really well at the last AFCON and what a fantastic player he's been."
"Fair play to him"
â beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) September 19, 2024
đłđŹ Mikel John Obi praises Ademola Lookman for picking Nigeria early and not after he was past his best, giving his country his best years.#beINUCL pic.twitter.com/u8ZWvlHQfj
