Musa surrenders Eagles’ captaincy to Mikel

Chelsea star Mikel Obi is the new Nigeria captain after Ahmed Musa relinquished the position at a press briefing in Kaduna Thursday, saying this is to “right the wrong” previously done.

Last year, the 23-year-old Ahmed Musa was named Eagles skipper by former Super Eagles coach SundayOliseh, who overlooked the seniority in the team which would have installed vice-captain Mikel as team captain following the retirement of Vincent Enyeama from international football.

Mikel will therefore lead Nigeria in today’s  must-win AFCON qualifier against Egypt in Kaduna.

Chelsea midfielder Mikel debut for the Eagles in 2005, while CSKA Moscow winger Ahmed Musa made his Nigeria bow five years later.

Ahmed Musa declared: “Something happened before I was made the captain of the Super Eagles then. There was a mix-up.

“But right now, we have a new administration. Mikel is my senior and a big brother. So, Mikel is the captain, not me.”

Mikel described Ahmed Musa as a “wonderful professional”, commending his courage to surrender the captaincy to him.

“I want to thank Ahmed Musa for being a wonderful professional,” he remarked.

“It takes a man to come out and do what Ahmed Musa has done today. So, I commend him a lot for doing that.”

Meanwhile, Coach Samson Siasia has named Musa as assistant to new captain Mikel Obi after commending the courage of the CSKA Moscow forward for giving up the captaincy to the Chelsea star.

Interim coach Siasia said Ahmed Musa’s gesture has earned his respect and he announced him as assistant to Mikel.

“Ahmed Musa is a great player and has captained the Super Eagles for a while. So, it takes a good man and a great professional to do what Ahmed Musa has done today, he has earned my respect for doing that,” said Siasia.

“He is the assistant captain henceforth.”