Nigeria will do well at the World Cup, says Mikel

The Chelsea midfielder thinks that the Super Eagles can ride on the
wave of being African champions to have a successful campaign at
Brazil 2014
By RAMSEY DUBEM
Dec 22, 2013 7:35:00 AM
Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel believes that his country will do
well at the World Cup by riding on the confidence of being reigning
Africa Cup of Nations champions.
The Super Eagles won their third African title in February and will go
to Brazil 2014 as the first reigning African champions since 2002 when
Cameroon held the title and also played at the World Cup.
Nigeria are drawn in Group F alongside perennial foes Argentina, Asian
high flyers Iran and debutants Bosnia-Herzegovina.
"I think being African champions has given us a huge lift. I think the
mentality of the team has changed in the past couple of years, we
believe now that we can go into every game and win," Mikel
toldGoalwhile receiving the 2013 Goal Nigeria Player of the Year
award, beating compatriots Vincent Enyeama, Emmanuel Emenike, Victor
Moses and Godfrey Oboabona to it.
The Super Eagles already have a foretaste of what to expect next year
after this summer's campaign in the Confederations Cup saw them win
against Tahiti and lose against Uruguay and Spain.
"If you look at the games we played in the Confederations Cup, we put
on a very good performance in all the games. We were unlucky in the
game against Uruguay, I think we should have beaten them by four or
five. If you look at the game against Spain, we played really well but
they just had that little bit of quality to get the goals," he said.
With Ghana's quarter final finish at South Africa 2010, the Super
Eagles are being touted by their fans to go a place better than their
neighbours in Brazil.
"I think the Africa Cup of Nations has given us a lot of belief to go
into the World Cup - I know we can do well," Mikel said.
Commenting on the return of manager Jose Mourinho to Chelsea, Mikel
said that with time the Blues will begin to win every game.
"It's been good, he's back," said Mikel. "We haven't hit the heights
that everyone wants us to hit but there have been changes, he's come
in with a different philosophy but still the mentality that we want to
win every game and he is putting that into all the players.
"It's going to take a bit of time but it's something we're working
towards. Hopefully we will start to hit our heights soon and be
playing consistently well but right now I think we're in a very good
position in the Premier League and the Champions League so if we can
pick the standard up even higher I think it will be a very successful
year," he said.