BRAZIL: FOOTBALL/SOCCER; WORLD CUP 2014: Nigeria midfielder says soccer could help bring unity back home

Record ID: 236817

  • Title: BRAZIL: FOOTBALL/SOCCER; WORLD CUP 2014: Nigeria midfielder says soccer could help bring unity back home
  • Date: 29th June 2014
  • Summary: BRASILIA, BRAZIL (JUNE 29, 2014) (REUTERS) NIGERIA COACH STEPHEN KESHI STANDING IN GOAL PLAYERS STANDING
  • Embargoed: 14th July 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Brazil
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAAE6W57ZVHF3S5SJURZ54K0JV5
  • Story Text: As violence grips Nigeria's northeast, midfielder John Obi Mikel said on Sunday (June 29) that soccer could help bring unity back to his country.
    Violence in Nigeria's northeast has been relentless in the past year and has gained in intensity since April, when more than 200 schoolgirls were snatched by Boko Haram rebels. On Sunday, suspected Islamist militants killed dozens of people in an attack on three Nigerian villages.
    Mikel, 27, said the troubles had made an impression on the squad but he pressed the need for his team mates to focus on Monday's (June 30) last 16 match against France and do their bit to bring people together.

    "I think football is what unites everyone at home in Nigeria, everyone loves football, and as long as we keep doing well, as long as we keep winning, I think this football alone can bring unity back to various places where we are having problems", Mikel said.
    Mikel and coach Stephen Keshi said the team tries not to get affected. "We have to get on," Mikel said.
    Peppered with questions about a bonus pay dispute involving the squad and the Nigerian Football Association, Keshi, known as "Big Boss", was clearly bemused by the interest in a problem he explained was over and said his team were "good to go".

    "Our bonuses have never been delayed. That's the good aspect of it. The bonus... If you have a bonus they are paid right away so there is nothing to delay the players or make the players not to play tomorrow. We don't have a problem about bonus issue, everything is clear upfront, so we are good, we are good to go," Keshi said.
    Asked if he was concerned about the high temperatures in Brazil effecting his team during Monday's early afternoon kick off he rebuked:
    "I wish I can do something about the weather but I can not. This is a natural thing from God so... and we cannot blame God so let's just leave the weather alone."
    Questions about his wingers also resulted in surprise for the coach, who played briefly for Nigeria at the 1994 World Cup when they reached the last 16 only to be beaten by Italy.
    Asked if Ahmed Musa, who scored twice in the 3-2 defeat by Argentina, had decided to fast during daylight hours for Ramadan and if he was worried that it may affect his performance, Keshi said:
    "Well, for Ahmed Musa Ramadan is a normal thing to do, you know. We just hope that he, he is used to it. Whenever he plays for his club during Ramadan times he does what is normal to do so he is going to do the same thing tomorrow."
    Whoever Keshi opts to select will face a tough ask against a French side which racked up eight goals in their opening two wins in Group E.
    France will approach the game full of confidence after playing some of the best football seen so far in the competition. Les Bleus finished top in group E with two victories over Honduras and Switzerland and one draw in their final game against Ecuador, scoring 8 goals in the process.
    Nigeria, meanwhile, struggled to secure a second round spot in a group consisting of Argentina, Bosnia and Iran and eventually obtained a berth despite losing their final game to the Argentineans 3-2. A controversial win over the Bosnians and a draw with the Iranians proved enough to progress beyond the opening round. Ahmed Musa, who plays his football in Russia with CSKA, proved he will be one to watch after scoring twice against Argentina.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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