I’m happy Eagles are underdogs–Mikel

Nigeria captain Mikel Obi has stressed that he has no issues with the team being branded as underdogs which he feels can ginger the team to spring surprises at the FIFA World Cup.

However the Tianjin Teda of China captain who arrived at the team’s Uyo camp on Thursday has pleaded with his colleagues to strive and display the same fighting spirit that helped them to qualify for the World Cup.

“To be labelled as underdogs is good for the team. It shows that we have to do more and be humble,” said Mikel.

The player who sees his inclusion in the team as a privilege agreed that the Eagles were in a tough group but stressed on the importance of the team winning Croatia in its opening game on June 16.

“One thing that will help us is the need to be together, play as a team, and the fighting spirit we have all this time, we need to show it in Russia,” he said.

The Eagles are the least ranked team in Group D by FIFA that has Argentina, Croatia and Iceland.