The UEFA Europa League trophy, courtesy of globally acclaimed vehicle rental company Enterprise Rent-A-Car, made its way to South Africa in a first-of-its-kind trophy showcase. The trophy did not make its way to Mzansi alone. Rather, it was accompanied by Chelsea and Nigeria legend John Obi Mikel, a man who enjoyed a trophy-laden career with the Blues and having won this specific one in the 2012/13 season. Joined by Mzansi football icon Lucas Radebe, the 36-year-old took time out for a sit-down with the media in attendance. Soccer Laduma's Delmain Faver was among those members of the Fourth Estate as questions to Mikel flew from all directions. In the interview session, as recorded below, the former defensive midfielder touched on his incredible career, gave his thoughts on the current Chelsea and Nigeria squads, while heaping praise on the Premier Soccer League.
On his presence in SA and bringing the UEFA Europa League to the country for the first time ever
The Europa League is special, it is always special. Thanks to Enterprise (Rent-A-Car) for making sure this wonderful trophy comes to Africa for the first time. I mean, it's special. So, for me, the aim is to make sure that we use this event to encourage and inspire the younger generation to continue to believe and dream that they can also win this one day. To continue to practice, continue to work hard and, you know, the sky is going to be their limit.
On what was so special about winning it with Chelsea in 2012/13
We were on our game. I think also when you look at that team that won it, it wasn't so much of the old guys (that) were there, but we were all, like, on the verge of leaving the club. I think it was pretty much me and one or two or three (others) that was there in the team from the old guys. So, it was special. It was good. I think it was also good to win a trophy and to show the new players coming in what this club means. This club is about winning trophies and this club is about winning games, and we managed to leave that legacy for them to continue, which was special. I mean, we left the club in a good place. I hope that the new generation now starts winning games and we get back to where we should be.
On forging a path for young African players to follow in their footsteps in England and in Europe
We knew, obviously, we were dealing with something special at the club. We knew the only way we could do that was by winning trophies and we had an owner (Roman Abramovic) who was also very ruthless as well. Once we don't win a trophy, the manager goes, ha, ha, ha. So, we were winning a trophy every year. I was there for 11 years. I think I won about 12 trophies. So, it was a trophy every year. That was the standard we set for the club and we had to set that standard for the new generation coming in. That's why it's difficult now for this new generation to be able to continue that journey because it's a lot of pressure. Every year, you have to win something. It was a lot of pressure for us. We managed it, we coped with it. Sometimes it was tough, but we always came together as a team, as big personalities that we were, we always figured out a way to go back to winning ways. That was something really special.
On his views on the current Chelsea squad under Mauricio Pochettino
Well, we have to continue to work hard. We have to continue to practice and work hard at the training ground. It's a different team compared to the team that we had. We were big, we were strong, we were physical, whereas I think this team now has more talent. So, we have to find a way to make sure we put them all together and once we start to gel, once we start to play with each other and know each other's game, I think it will make it easier for the team. Then we'll come back to winning ways and start to win things again and start to compete.
On why South African players don't seem to have the desire to move abroad
I think it's not the mentality, I think it is the organisation. The organisation is better than our organization. I think if you look at your league (DStv Premiership), the league is that good that a player doesn't have to go abroad to make ends meet and to support his family. Your league is much (more) organised than ours, so that's something that we Nigerians have been crying (about) and we want to see our league (becoming) better. We know we can do it because we have so much talent. We want to grow our league, we want to improve the standard of our league, the facilities for these players to grow, for these kids, this youth. Kids who aspire to play in the Premier League. These kids need an environment where they feel comfortable to improve and that's something you guys have. I think that's pretty much the difference.
On Bafana Bafana being drawn against Nigeria in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
It's always a rivalry between us and Bafana Bafana when we play, so it's always special to play against South Africa. It's always a massive rivalry and I think all throughout my career, that's one thing that I really enjoyed, the rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa. Nigeria and Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Cameroon. You know these big countries, every time we come to face each other, there's always a lot of pressure. Nobody wants to lose against each other. But yeah, I look forward to it. Let's see what happens in the Africa Cup of Nations first and then the World Cup. So, I hope Nigeria can do it again. We can win the Africa Cup of Nations next year.
On the current Nigeria squad and what they are capable of achieving
We have such a great team. I think if you look at it, I don't think we've ever had a strike force which has so much depth. I don't think Nigeria has ever had so much depth compared to this team now. So, I hope we can find a way to also defend, not just attack. If we can find a way to make sure that we secure the back and find a way to make sure that we all defend together, not just the defenders… I think once we can do that, we stand a very good chance of winning the tournament. We have a very good team, a young team, a dynamic team full of energy. Let's hope we can do something special next year in the Africa Cup of Nations.
On the recently formed African Football League
I mean, it's about time that African countries, with different teams, come together in football. I don't like going into politics, so I talk about football. So, it's high time that we come together and see how we can grow our game. I call it our game, not South Africa's game, not Nigeria's game. Our game, our African football. How we can make it better so that we can achieve so much from it. You look at the Saudi League… I don't want to compare the Saudi League, the money's too much, but if we can look at that initiative and try to follow that path, even if you can do one third of that just to grow the game, bring us together. Lead a massive tournament whereby we can enjoy watching. Doesn't matter where we are, we watch it and say, 'Yeah, this is our game. This is African', you know what I mean? I love being part of this, and this is something we can all do together. I'm glad that this happened.
