Nigeria’s captain Mikel Obi has vowed to do whatever it takes to ensure the Super Eagles advance into the round of 16 of the Russia 2018 World Cup.
Nigeria are currently bottom of group D and must beat Iceland on Friday to keep hopes alive.
The Eagles lost their opening game 2-0 to Croatia while debutants Iceland held group favorites Argentina to a 1-1 draw.
Mikel, who was made to play in an advanced midfield role, was one of the team’s worst performers on Saturday, with many fans calling for him to be consequently dropped or given a withdrawn role.
Ex-Super Eagles captain Austin Jay Jay Okocha had advised coach Gernot Rohr to either drop Mikel or make him play deeper.
When asked about playing in defensive midfield on Wednesday, Mikel said: “If I have to sacrifice for this team to progress, I will.
“If I have to sacrifice a position, go play wherever, I will do that for this team to win games.”
Mikel played as a defensive midfielder for most of his thriving 11-year stay at Chelsea but has often been deployed further upfield for the Super Eagles.
Mikel’s former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho has also warned that the Nigeria captain should play as a ‘number 6’, which is a defensive midfielder.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 years ago
