Mikel to captain Team Nigeria at Rio

John Obi Mikel, Chelsea and Nigeria midfielder, has been named captain of Team Nigeria to the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil.

The sports ministry in Nigeria stated that the Chelsea midfielder has been picked as he is regarded as “a role model to the upcoming athletes.”

The 29-year-old is one of over-aged players named in the Nigeria Under-23 national team for the men’s football event at the Olympics.

It is the first time that Mikel will make an appearance at the Olympic Games.

Table tennis star, Funke Oshonaike, has been named assistant captain.

“Mikel is a young, patriotic footballer of international status and we believe he will be a role model to the upcoming athletes while Funke Oshonaike is experienced and is one of the oldest athletes in the team. We believe that their combined efforts will bring goodwill to Team Nigeria and project the county’s image positively to the world,” stated the sports ministry.

The Olympics in Brazil will hold between August 5 and 21.