Chelsea's Nigerian midfielder, John Mikel Obi, yesterday displayed his wild side when he shoved a female journalist during Super Eagles morning training session at the National Stadium, Abuja. The reporter, from the stable of a local radio station, Love FM 104.5, was punched in the midriff by the Chelsea player after she requested for an interview.
The attack occured as the Chelsea midfielder trained with the national team on their international break for 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Mikel’s attack on the journalist clearly showed the depth of frustration in the national camp since the barrage of criticisms the team from the public following their scandalous 1-0 loss to Sudan in Khartoum on Saturday. It is a fact that Mikel and the Nigerian media are not in good terms.
The player displayed his disregard for the media last week Tuesday, when he shunned the open media chat, three days before the team flew to Khartoum, prompting Keshi to apologise for the act of defiance. Nigeria will square against Sudan in the reverse fixture they must win, most likely before a scant crowd, to stand any chance of qualifying for Morocco 2015.