My Russian Family Will Kill Me If Nigeria Fail To Qualify For World Cup – Mikel

By Augustine Akhilomen

Super Eagles captain and midfielder, Mikel Obi has revealed that the senior national team must qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup if he must escape being killed by his family members in Russia.

The three-time Africa Cup of Nations champions are top of Group B on six points having beating Zambia 2-1 and Algeria 3-1 respectively.

With the team set play the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in a double header on September 1 and 4 in an encounter that could determine the fate of both teams, the former Chelsea midfielder, told FIFA.com on Wednesday that some of his Russian families, relatives and friends have threatened to kill him if Nigeria fail to qualify for the mundia in Russia.

“My wife is Russian. And many of our relatives and friends are from Russia,” Mikel told FIFA.com.

“They are all expecting Nigeria to qualify for the next World Cup. I think they will kill me if I fail them.”

“We are in a very good position in our group. We have two wins from two games, and in our last game we beat Algeria at home. We have a very good young team and the players play good football. If we can win our next match (at home to Cameroon on 31 August) it will edge us closer to qualification. I think we can go through.”