How Mikel helped Omeruo and I tame Drogba at the 2013 AFCON quarter finals – Godfrey Oboabona reveals

May 9, 2020 / Sports, Nigerian Football, Super Eagles / By Ayomide John

Godfrey Oboabona has revealed how former captain, Mikel Obi helped him and Kenneth Omeruo keep Didier Drogba in check, seven years after the Super Eagles defeated the Ivorians in the quarter finals clash.

Godfrey Oboabona, the former Sunshine Stars defender said Mikel Obi told him before the quarter finals match not to allow the then Chelsea striker turn each time he’s on the ball.

“I remember a night before the game I went to Mikel because he was with Drogba in Chelsea. I asked him, ‘What do you think is his key point’ and he said to me I should not allow him turn and if he turns I’m finished. With this, it was a lot of motivation to me,”

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“Before the game when we were warming up Mikel came to me and Kenneth and told us not to allow Drogba turn and I remember I had a coach in Nigeria, Fatai Amoo, my coach in Sunshine Stars. We had a striker, we call him Coulibaly , he’s from Ivory Coast or Senegal, and he told me if you have a striker who is very strong give him a little distance so when he wants to turn you can approach him.

“I remember this and what Mikel said and in the game I was close to him but not man-to-man.

“When he chests the ball he is so powerful and so strong, I always give him space to do whatever he wants to do, when I see he wants to turn then I close him down and don’t allow him shoot.

“The encouragement Mikel gave to me really helped me a lot and I think with Kenneth gave us a lot of motivation in the game.”

The Super Eagles won the game 1-2 with goals from Emmanuel Emenike, Sunday Mbah and the late Chiek Tiote for Ivory Coast.

He had 40 appearances for the Super Eagles after he made his debut in 2012.

Oboanona currently plays for FC Dinamo Batumi in Georgia

Quote via @Editor_ANS

About The Author

Ayomide John

Ayomide is first, a football writer, a sports analyst and then a multi-niched journalist with a particular interest in lifestyle, politics, literature and history. He is an experienced Search Engine Optimisation Analyst and Content Marketer. He holds a degree in Literature in English (OAU). He hopes to do his Masters in International Media Studies.He is a Manchester United fan since 2008.