Super Eagles skipper, Mikel Obi, says he would play anywhere as long as it betters the team.
Nigerians have heavily criticized the Tianjin TEDA midfielder’s offensive attributes in the Croatian game, pleading with Gernot Rohr to drop his captain.
However, Mikel, who understands the plight of Nigerians has volunteered to adjust to a tactical change if that would help the Eagles.
“It’s fascinating how when you have been doing something for over a year-and-a-half, nobody says something about it, but when you lose one game, there’s a problem,” Mikel told KweseESPN.
“But this is football. I’ve been in this game for a long time and I understand how this works. I understand the frustration of Nigerians. They have a right to be frustrated.
“I feel comfortable playing in both positions. I would do anything possible and anything I can to make sure we win games. I am the captain of this team, I am the leader of this team. If I have to sacrifice for this team to progress, I will. If I have to sacrifice a position, go play wherever, I will do that for this team to win games.”
However, Mikel pointed out that winning games is more than just about playing positions.
“It’s important for people to understand that playing in certain positions is not the main thing. You have to be able to give 110 percent for the team, no matter where you play, and I am willing to do that.
“We have tried so many systems to make sure we win games. Hopefully, there will be changes, but we will see what happens.”
Rohr agreed with his captain and pointed out that if the team had lost with Mikel playing in attacking midfield, there would have been questions as to why he changed a winning formula.
“This is polemic I will not get into this. We won our games, all the games, for two years that I have been in Nigeria with Mikel in this offensive position. He is giving decisive passes; remember against Cameroon, we won 4-0. It was exactly the same organisation.
“If we play Mikel in 6 and another one in 10 and we lost the game, you would ask the same question, ‘why you change now and you make him play number 6 when you win all the games with him in number 10?’. So it’s not about the position.
“But we know what we have to do. And the players and me agree exactly before each game about our organisation.”
