Onazi talks about his reported rift with Mikel

From Left: Super Eagles of Nigeria midfielders Ogenyi Onazi and John Obi Mikel. Photo of Onazi: Erwin Spek/Soccrates/Getty Images. Photo of Mikel: Clive Rose/Getty Images

Ogenyi Onazi has refuted reports that he fell out with his former national team captain John Mikel Obi before he left the team.


Reports from several media outfits claimed the former Lazio man and Mikel had heated arguments during preparation for the 2018 world cup in Russia.

The reports went further that both players stopped speaking to one another and their relationship was further fractured when they arrived in Russia.

Onazi however told brila.net he never had any problem with his former Captain, he maintained that all they have for one another is mutual respect.

“First of all, I can’t have a misunderstanding with John Obi Mikel, because he’s like a mentor to me and it was a privilege for me to play with him in the national team.”

“He’s the person who gave us the confidence that we can be who we want to be in Jos,” he told brila.net.

“I had a very bad game against England in London, then everyone started talking about it and the list for the world cup was not even out yet.

“It was just a distraction on the team, but for the record, I never have a problem with Mikel, although we later made a video and laughed off everything,” he told brila.net.