Nigerian player was told about his father’s kidnap just hours before match against Argentina

The Independent: John Obi Mikel has revealed he was told that his father had been kidnapped just hours before the World Cup match between Nigeria and Argentina.

The former Chelsea midfielder and Super Eagles captain was told the news that father Pa Michael Obi had been abducted in south-east Nigeria while he was on board the team coach.

Mikel didn’t tell anyone what had happened before the match in St Petersburg and went on to play as Nigeria went out of the tournament after a 2-1 defeat.

His father has now been released after police back in his home country stepped in and is being treated in hospital for trauma after a week-long ordeal.

He said, “I was emotionally distraught and I had to make the decision about whether I was mentally ready to play. I was confused. I did not know what to do but, in the end, I knew that I could not let 180 million Nigerians down. I had to shut it out of my head and go and represent my country first. I could not even inform the coaches or NFF staff and only a very tight circle of my friends knew.”