Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has shared details of a heated on-field disagreement he once had with former teammate Victor Moses during Nigeria’s victorious 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign in South Africa.
Mikel spoke on the incident while discussing the recent confrontation between Super Eagles forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman during Nigeria’s 2025 AFCON Round of 16 clash against Mozambique.
“It Was About Winning, Not Ego” — Mikel
Recalling the 2013 tournament, Mikel explained that Moses, who was also his roommate at the time, was known for his attacking flair and love for dribbling.
“When we won the AFCON in 2013, Victor Moses was my roommate,” Mikel said. “We all know Victor — when he gets the ball, he likes to dribble and create chances, which was fantastic.”
However, the former Chelsea midfielder noted that tensions arose when Moses chose to shoot instead of passing in certain situations.
“A couple of times he did it and squared the ball, but he wanted to shoot. Then I went to him and said, ‘you have to pass the ball.’ He said no, and I told him, ‘you have to pass the ball if someone is more open, because we have to win here.’”
Argument Continued Off the Pitch
Mikel revealed that the disagreement did not end on the field and carried into their shared hotel room after the match.
“We had an argument on the pitch. After the game, he was still angry. We went into the room and for hours we didn’t speak to each other. We slept, woke up, and still didn’t say a word.”
He added that both players later realised the bigger picture and resolved their differences.
“Then we talked and understood there were bigger things at stake. We spoke, moved on, and we won. These things happen in football, but you have to deal with them.”
Nigeria’s 2013 AFCON Success
Nigeria went on to lift the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in 2013 after defeating Burkina Faso 1–0 in the final, with Sunday Mba scoring the decisive goal.
Mikel’s reflection highlights how internal disagreements can arise even in successful teams, but unity and shared goals often determine ultimate success.
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