Former Chelsea midfielder and Super Eagles legend, John Obi Mikel, has shed light on the integrity of the late Stephen Keshi, revealing how the former Nigeria coach resisted external pressure while selecting his squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Mikel made the revelation while speaking on his Obi One Podcast, drawing comparisons between Keshi’s team and Nigeria’s current setup. According to him, the late coach was repeatedly contacted by influential figures who attempted to dictate his squad choices—but he stood his ground.

“I remember the late Stephen Keshi when he wanted to make his World Cup selection, called me up and said, ‘Mikel, I want to make the squad but these f****s keep calling me trying to influence my decision,’” Mikel recalled.
“They say I have to pick this player, but you know me, I will always do what’s right and I will pick the players that I think deserve and will go and help this country do well in the World Cup.”

Keshi’s merit-based approach paid off, as Nigeria reached the Round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil—one of the country’s most respected performances on the global stage.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles currently have 25 players in camp in Egypt as preparations intensify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria will face Egypt in a friendly on Tuesday before heading to Morocco for the tournament, where they will compete in Group C alongside Tanzania, Uganda, and Tunisia. The Eagles will open their campaign against Tanzania on December 23, followed by Tunisia on December 27 and Uganda on December 30.

Opinion: Keshi’s Legacy Still Speaks

Mikel’s revelation is both inspiring and sobering. It confirms what many Nigerian football fans have long believed—that off-field interference has often threatened the growth of the national team. Yet, it also highlights why Stephen Keshi remains such a revered figure: he chose courage over compromise.

Keshi’s refusal to bow to pressure showed that success built on merit, unity, and discipline is not only possible but sustainable. His World Cup squad may not have been perfect, but it was honest—and that honesty translated into pride and belief on the pitch.

As the Super Eagles prepare for AFCON 2025, Keshi’s words feel more relevant than ever. Team selection must be about form, commitment, and ability—not influence or favoritism. If Nigeria hopes to reclaim its dominance in Africa and compete strongly on the world stage, the spirit of Stephen Keshi must live on.

Sometimes, the most powerful victories happen long before kickoff—when the right decisions are made behind closed doors.