Stephen Keshi has heaped praise on Mikel Obi, saying the Chelsea midfielder has been at his best under him.
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"Mikel has been excellent for Nigeria playing under me," Keshi told a close confidant after Nigeria beat Malawi at the weekend to advance to the final playoffs for the 2014 World Cup.
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"He has really impressed me and has never let me down."
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Mikel was voted the Most Valuable Player against Malawi as he imposed himself in the midfield alongside Lazio youngster Ogenyi Onazi.
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He also shone at the recent FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil and played a key role as Nigeria won a third Africa Cup of Nations in Johannesburg, South Africa, in February.
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He has played a more attacking position from midfield than the defensive role he plays for Chelsea that he is now being touted as a future Eagles captain.
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Interestingly, Mikel had first seemed to be heading on a collision course with 'Big Boss' Keshi, when he first took charge of the Eagles in November 2011.
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The star midfielder, who for long was accused of lacking enough commitment for the national team, stayed away from the friendlies against Botswana and Zambia due to injury and it was not until several months later that he finally played for the Eagles under Keshi.
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And Keshi's praise now come at a time when there are insinuations that the Chelsea star feigned a calf injury after the Malawi match so as to be excused from Tuesday's friendly against Burkina Faso in Kaduna.
Mikel Obi is a good player the whole of Nigeria and England know that after so many matches he's played for Nigeria and Chelse FC. He is a dope midfielder...