Ogenyi Onazi, a former Super Eagles midfielder, has revealed that retired players Mikel Obi and Joseph Yobo settled their fight before the 2013 AFCON quarter-final game against Ivory Coast.
Onazi, who played five games in the tournament, said that Yobo and Obi reconciled before the game, despite having some issues with each other.
Yobo, who was the captain of the team but was not in the starting lineup for the game, gave a speech to the team, motivating them to beat Ivory Coast.
Obi replied, saying that the team should fight their opponents outside, even if they fight each other inside.
The Super Eagles went on to win the game 2-1, and eventually went on to win the tournament.
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Onazi reveals how Mikel and Yobo settled their fight before 2013 AFCON quarter-final
Ogenyi Onazi, a former Super Eagles midfielder, has revealed that retired players Mikel Obi and Joseph Yobo settled their fight before the 2013 AFCON quarter-final game against Ivory Coast.
In an interview with Soccernet, Onazi said that Yobo and Obi reconciled before the game, despite having some issues with each other.
“Something interesting happened before the match against Ivory Coast,” Onazi said.
“The Big Boss (Keshi) had a meeting with the team after our lunch and when he finished, Joseph Yobo, the captain, said we should all wait.
“He had been having this little issue with Mikel. So immediately, the coaching staff left, he took a swipe at Mikel immediately, saying, I know I have some issues with Mikel, but that’s okay.
We have a very important game (against Ivory Coast) ahead of us and I know I am not starting this game, but I know you guys in there will do us proud.
“Yes, we must have these small fights, but it is to strengthen us and show us that we are strong as a team and I wish you guys all the best.
“You guys go out there and prove that we can beat these guys. It is good that we are the underdogs, and it’s better we are already written off by our country. We know that we have tickets already to go back to our country and clubs.”
Mikel and Yobo’s pre-quarter-final reconciliation motivated Super Eagles to beat Ivory Coast
According to Onazi, Obi responded, “Guys, yes, we will fight ourselves inside, but let’s fight our opponents outside.”
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been paired in Group A of the 2023 AFCON featuring the hosts, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea Bissau.
The forthcoming edition of the prestigious tournament is scheduled to commence on January 13 and end on February 11, 2024.
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