Mikel blasts ‘cheating’ Egyptian players over Salah’s goal

Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel has said the Pharaohs should have applied the rules of fair play when a Super Eagles defender fell on the pitch in Friday’s 1-1 draw in Kaduna.

The hosts were leading via Oghenekaro Etebo’s goal until very late when Mohamed Salah pounced on a ball behind the Nigeria backline after defender Godfrey Oboabona had fallen on the pitch. While the Eagles were hoping for the Egyptians to play it out, Salah slotted home after receiving a pass from Ramadan Sobhy.

“I think we played very well but we lost a lot of chances that we created that could have fetched us total victory in today’s match against Egypt,” Mikel told media. “Everybody is saying we lost the game in the last three minutes but all I can say is that fair play is fair play, it doesn’t matter, fair play is fair play. “Okay you can say we should have concentrated a little more, but Fair Play is Fair Play. This is cheating, that is all I can say. It happens in Egypt, it happens everywhere. It doesn’t matter how many minutes it is, you have to allow it. It is the referee that controls the game.”

However, the Chelsea midfielder who captained the Nigeriams for the first time on Friday assured that with their form, the Eagles can surprise the Egyptians in Tuesday’s return leg in Alexandria. “I am very optimistic like the coach [Samson Siasia] that the way we played today we have a very good chance of getting a win in Egypt,” Mikel assured.

The Eagles remain two points behind the Pharaohs who have seven points atop Group G with Tanzania lying in third place with four points and Chad yet to earn any.