Chelsea star Mikel Obi has called up Nigeria caretaker coach Samson Siasia to pledge his total support ahead of all-important AFCON qualifiers against Egypt later this month.
A top source close to Siasia informed AfricanFootball.com that Mikel has already phoned the coach to vow his total support in the wake of the resignation of Sunday Oliseh.
“Mikel called Siasia and pledged his full support,” disclosed the source.
The 28-year-old Chelsea midfielder was sensationally dropped to the bench by Oliseh when Nigeria beat Swaziland 2-0 in a 2018 World Cup qualifier last year.
As Eagles vice-captain, he was widely expected to be named Eagles coach by Oliseh after Vincent Enyeama’s dramatic exit from the Super Eagles, but in the end Ahmed Musa was handed the captain’s armband.
Mikel’s relationship with Siasia has blown hot and cold. He was one of the stars when Siasia led the country to reach the final of the 2005 FIFA U20 World Cup in the Netherlands.
However, the coach overlooked him for the 2008 Beijing Olympics after he stayed away from the qualifying tournament for the summer games.
At Chelsea, Mikel is enjoying one of his best times at the club where he recently went 25 games unbeaten under manager Guus Hiddink.
While players such as Willian and Cesc Fabregas have had plaudits for the Blues’ recent upturn in form, the Nigerian may actually be key to the Dutchman’s success at Stamford Bridge.
The run stretches back to when Hiddink was last at the helm in 2009, when the London club ended up lifting the FA Cup despite a terrible first half of the season.
Blues fans will be hoping that history repeats itself, with the team languishing below its usual positions in the EPL but still in both the FA Cup and Champions League.
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