NFF has performed well – Mikel

Even in their time of grieve, the Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi, has rated the performance of the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation as having performed very well. Mikel who spoke to a world
audience soon after Nigeria lost 2-1 to Argentina in St Petersburg, said comparatively the current NFF
board should be the best or at least one of the very best given the detail and improved touch they have
given to such vital areas and travelling arrangements; arranging friendly matches and of course the
payment of the players bonuses and allowances.

Mikel said, “Like I said all through this tournament, this regime has been the very best or at least
one of the very best since I have been in the national team. They have done so well when it comes to
travelling and making the travelling arrangements. The arrangement has been fantastic; we travel now
with very good airplanes which we were not doing before.

“First of all I think the safety of the players is more important; the safety of everyone is more
important than anything else concerning the team. And on that note I can say that this regime (current
NFF leadership) has done quite amazingly well when it comes to travelling, bonuses and friendly
matches; things have been done excellently well.”

The former Chelsea midfielder also told world media that quality and consistent friendly games
contributed greatly in the development of the team just as the new found peace with handling their
finances.

“For friendly games it has also been very good playing quality matches. And talking about bonuses they
have managed things very well. I think we have been able to work much better and perfectly well. We
have been able to understand and trust each other better. I think we never had any issue with payment
of bonus and allowances for a very long time.

“And this has helped us to achieve this great team that we have. I believe this is a very great team. I
think in the next four years this team is going to be bigger and much better and be ready for the next
World Cup if we manage to qualify.”

The longest serving player in the current squad said his desire is to see a continuity in the arrangement of things so that the team can continue to improve under very conducive atmosphere.

“I think this team would then be able to do great things. It’s a shame that we couldn’t qualify now
despite the strong efforts. I hope it will be possible to continue this amazing journey that we have
had. Like I said, the boys have done amazingly well and we have to continue.