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If Super Eagles Dean and Captain John Obi Mikel is injured and completely out of shape during this 2019 CAN, Nigerians can count on his designated successor, one of the most anticipated young players in this edition, Wilfred Ndidi.
From our special envoy to Alexandria,
This morning, under a sun that is already very strong, some Nigerian players appear in front of the press on the terrace of their hotel. Located at the edge of the sea, just a step away from the trees with red flowers of the famous gardens of Montaza, the place shines by its calm. Like Wilfred Ndidi.
" I warn you, his answers last 5 seconds, no more ! "Slips us, teasing, a confrere. Square and effective in the field as in interview, the lanky number 4 distinguished himself in the first two meetings of the CAN 2019 team in Egypt. Facing Burundi (1-0) , Ndidi is designated "man of the match". And against Guinea (1-0) , the Nigerian wins the battle of the middle, reserving the passage of shock treatment to the star of the "Syli National", Naby Keita.
A few days later, the Leicester resident in the Premier League, only enters the second period in the surprise but deserved defeat of his team against Madagascar (0-2) , occasionally the outcome of group B. Should we see a causal link? It's a safe bet that the person will be satisfied with an embarrassed laugh if you ask him the question. " The team " is the favorite word in his vocabulary.
" What I do, I do it for the team "
" What I do, I do it for the team. She is the one who wears me and not the other way around. It is in this spirit that I grew up. No chance to see the 22-year-old, born in Lagos and son of military, crack a shocking statement. The one who finished top scorer in the Premier League two consecutive years, the successor of N'Golo Kanté in the "Foxes", is unfazed.
In selection, the man with long discounts in play is also part of a glorious lineage. That of John Obi Mikel, captain of the "Super Eagles", the most beautiful list of this CAN 2019, but injured and completely out of shape for his return to the nest after about a year of absence. " It's a model, an example to follow, I grew up watching him play, I admire his calm and we need him, " said Ndidi.
No competition between them, therefore. Especially since the former Chelsea, who has just signed in Turkey after China and the second division English, is called to leave more room for young people. " Wilfred is one of the players who can take over ," said coach Gernot Rohr. He has the physical, technical and mental qualities to ensure the success of the great Obi Mikel. But the presence of this last can help it to progress, it is the same thing for Etebo ".
READ ► CAN 2019: Gernot Rohr, Wisdom Serving Nigeria
Oghenekaro Etebo and Ndidi are indeed a winning pair in the middle, for the "Super Eagles", since the 2018 World Cup. Stoke City player animation, that of Leicester raking. " Etebo is more offensive and technical than me, we are complementary, " admits the one who started as a central defender before going up a notch during his first visit to Europe, Genk (Belgium).
Wilfred Ndidi, who discovered the selection before blowing his candles, under the leadership of another famous Nigerian midfielder, Sunday Oliseh, dreams of his team winning a fourth African title. After the defeat against Madagascar, Nigeria, second in its group will have to do battle with the reigning African Champion, Cameroon, still in Alexandria, this July 6th. The return of Ndidi as a holder appears as a matter of course. And that the green and white supporters are reassured, the "Teddy Bear", only seeks to " progress at each meeting ". A work ethic that will be good for his team.
See also : ► CAN 2019: Nigeria-Cameroon, a final before the hour