The Super Eagles got their World Cup qualifying campaign off to a flyer with a 2-1 win over Zambia in Ndola on October 9 to move to the top of Group B.
A win over Algeria in Uyo in November in Nigeria’s next game will put the three-time African champions firmly in the box seat and Mikel seems to know where the positive vibes are coming from.
“It’s all about being together. I think when you look at this team, there are so many new, young and talented players coming through.
“These players all want to work for each other and that is the most important thing.
“There is fresh energy in the team which is provided by the young players and when you add that to the experience which some of the older players bring,” Mikel told the official Super Eagles YouTube channel.
The Chelsea man, who has racked up four goals in 75 appearances for his country since 2006, is the most experienced member of the current Super Eagles side.
He revealed that he usually digs deep into his bag of international experience to provide guidance for the numerous young talent blossoming in the national set up.
“As the captain and someone who has been there for a while now, I bring guidance to them (young players).
“I see the hunger in the eyes of my teammates. They want to go to the World Cup; we all want to go to the World Cup.
“I think being together and respecting our country and being disciplined every time we are in the camp, avoiding mistakes and sticking together will help us a lot,” Mikel said.
Mikel also reserved words of praise for new coach, Gernot Rohr who has been quietly but efficiently going about his business in astute fashion.
“The new coach has brought a lot of discipline into the team.
“We, the players, love it. We love the discipline that (Rohr) has brought into the team.
“You can see that there is more focus in the game when we play. There is more attention to detail when it comes to free kicks and set pieces.
“We no longer concede goals like we used to before. Everyone is working hard in training to see that we don’t make mistakes.
“And when we have the ball, we try to play and create chances.
“If we keep doing these things, I think the way we started, we will finish well too,” he said.
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