Former captain of the Super Eagles of Nigeria John Obi Mikel has hailed the impact of Joe Aribo who inherited his number ten shirt in the senior national team of Nigeria following his retirement from international football.

Mikel quit the senior national team of Nigeria after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations after leading the team as captain to a third place finish at the tournament. They lost 1-2 in the semi-final to eventual winners Algeria.


Coach Gernot Rohr handed the number ten shirt won by Mikel who inherited it from Austin Okocha to Joe Aribo and the Rangers of Scotland midfielder has so far impressed with two goals to his name from four games for Nigeria.
Aribo according to Mikel only took his shirt number but his playmaker role in the team was inherited by Alex Iwobi right from the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.


” Congratulations to the team they have done well in my absence although I have always insist that they can cope without me. I like the man who took my number Aribo but many people don’t understand that Alex Iwobi is the player in my role”, Mikel told Owngoalnigeria.com.

” Iwobi started playing that role from the 2019 AFCON and I have been impressed with how he has settled in properly. We all know he is a good player so it’s no surprise that he has done well so far”.