Former Nigerian captain, Mikel Obi has tackled African footballers who choose to play for European countries instead of their fatherland

During his recent podcast, The Obi One, the former Chelsea star criticized African footballers who are making their fatherland a second option.

He explained that he has spoken with young players and their parents, urging them to represent their African roots, particularly Nigeria.

Mike Obi, however, lamented that many of the footballers opted to wait for opportunities to play for their birth countries like England or France.

He criticized this approach, stating that these players often turn to Africa only when they haven’t been called up by their chosen European teams, sometimes as late as their late 20s.

The footballer emphasized that Africa shouldn’t be treated as a backup option and that players should take pride in their origins.

He said that If they choose to play for a European country, they should commit to that decision and not switch to Nigeria later on.

“I’ve talked so much about players not representing their African roots. We’ve held meetings with these kids and their parents and said, listen, you are from Nigeria and your dad is Nigerian, why not represent your fatherland, Nigeria?”

“They say they wanna play for England or France or whatever it is, and then they wait. They keep waiting and keep waiting. When they get to 25 or 26 and they don’t get a call up from England, then they call Nigeria. We shouldn’t be treated like second options, we are not second options”.

“If you decide you want to play for England, stick to it. Sit and wait. If you don’t get a call-up, you don’t get a call-up. But don’t wait until you’re 29 or 30 and then you call the Nigerian FA to tell them you’re ready to play for them. F*ck off mate,” Obi said.