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Chelsea FC midfielder Mikel named captain of Nigeria's national team

Xinhua, March 24, 2016 Adjust font size:

Nigeria has named Chelsea FC midfielder John Obi Mikel as new captain of the national football team, also known as the Super Eagles.

Mikel was unveiled as the new skipper at a press conference in the northwestern state of Kaduna on Thursday.

Former team captain Ahmed Musa voluntarily gave up the captain's armband to Mikel, saying he recognized him as "a senior player of the team".

"We must thank Musa so much for what he has done today and I promise that Nigerians will see a new brand team with my leadership," Mikel told reporters after the announcement.

Last year, Sunday Oliseh, the former head coach of the Super Eagles had named Musa to replace erstwhile skipper and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, overlooking Mikel and other senior players of the team.

Mikel's first assignment as skipper of the team will be on Friday, when the Super Eagles take on Pharaohs of Egypt in a 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifier in Kaduna.

The Nigerian team will proceed to Egypt on Sunday for a return leg in the city of Alexandria on March 29. Endit