Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Heartland and Super Eagles goal keeper has described John Obi Mikel as a special player who was more than a captain as the former Chelsea ace retired from national duty following Nigeria’s third-place finish at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
With his successes over the years and an exemplary leader before his retirement, Ezenwa is among those who have benefited in the Veteran’s reptacle of knowledge on and off the pitch.
“He doesn’t know whether you are home-based or foreign-based, he tries to bring everybody together in camp. He is not the type that talks too much, he knew what was at stake, and he tried to carry everybody together. He made me realise that you can achieve whatever you want if you are determined and you believe in yourself”.
“He is a special person, and he made everybody realise that one day in football, you can get to his level and the only way to do that is all about self-confidence. I found time to go to his room when we were in camp, so he opens up to me, and the way he talks and advises is just one of the things I’ve pocketed.”
“After the Algeria defeat when we returned to our base, he tried to encourage one or two players. He is a calm person who knows what to do at the right time, and he speaks on behalf of everybody, he is a great guy with a large heart”.
