Mikel Obi’s Coach Shares Story Behind Ex-Chelsea Star’s Pre-Signing Undertaking
- Coach Ndubuisi Nduka has revealed he made Mikel Obi’s mother sign a “moral undertaking” before signing him at Plateau United
- Critics accused Nduka of favouritism after signing the young midfielder, but he remained convinced of Mikel’s potential
- Mikel went on to have an illustrious career with Chelsea and Nigeria, becoming one of Africa’s most decorated midfielders
Veteran Nigerian league coach and current Enyimba assistant, Ndubuisi Nduka, has revealed the extraordinary step he took to ensure John Obi Mikel’s career kicked off on the right path.
The coach, who handed Mikel his first major break at Plateau United, said he had to make the youngster’s mother sign a “moral undertaking” before bringing him to the Nigeria Premier League side.
Source: Getty Images
Mikel, who would go on to become one of Nigeria’s greatest football players, is best remembered for his 11-year spell at Chelsea, where he won two Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League, and several domestic cups.
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But according to Nduka, Mikel’s journey to the top almost did not happen.
Ndubuisi Nduka opens up on convincing Mikel’s family
Speaking to Complete Sports, Coach Nduka said that signing Mikel at the time was not a straightforward decision.
He revealed that critics accused him of favouritism and even “tribal” bias for insisting on giving the youngster a chance at such a big club.
“Before I signed Mikel at Plateau United then, I had earlier invited his elder brother, Ebere Obi, who was a goalkeeper, to join us,” Nduka recalled.
“But Ebere’s peers discouraged him, saying he would have no chance with the experienced goalkeepers we already had. He eventually signed for Mighty Jets and later played for Rangers and Heartland.”
Determined not to lose Mikel the same way, Nduka said he personally sought out the midfielder’s mother to ensure her son stayed focused.
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“I had to personally speak with his mother for him not to disappoint me, that he shouldn’t fall for his peers’ discouragement,” he added.
That conversation with Mikel’s mother would prove crucial, as the youngster went on to join Plateau United and quickly became one of the most promising young talents in Nigerian football.
Source: Getty Images
His performances eventually earned him a spot in the Pepsi Football Academy, a gateway to international recognition.
Mikel later made global headlines with his controversial transfer saga between Manchester United and Chelsea in 2006, ultimately joining the Blues.
Today, Mikel is celebrated as one of Nigeria’s most decorated footballers.
His achievements include two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, the UEFA Champions League, and the Europa League with Chelsea, per BBC.
Internationally, Mikel played 91 times for the Super Eagles, won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, and led Nigeria to an Olympic bronze medal in 2016.
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EPL referee revisits racism row with Mikel
In another development, Legit.ng reported that former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has opened up on his bust-up with Mikel Obi after Chelsea’s loss to Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in 2012.
Clattenburg oversaw the controversial match, during which he sent off two Chelsea players, Branislav Ivanovic and Fernando Torres, with a cheap second yellow card.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
