Jos Club Proud Former Players Mikel, Onazi & Awaziem Were Named In Nigeria WC Squad

Published: June 08, 2018

Owner of grassroots side, Junior Elkanemi FC of Jos, Alhaji Idris Kwando, has expressed his delight that the non-league side's discoveries will be part of the Nigeria national football team to the Fifa World Cup finals in Russia.

Alhaji Kwando who spoke to allnigeriasoccer.com in Jos said he is overwhelmed with joy at the development, saying he hopes to produce more players for the national teams of Nigeria and also pray these footballers will end up being wonderful ambassadors for Nigeria internationally.

The three players from the grassroots club that are on the plane to Russia are young defender Chidozie Awaziem of FC Porto, Trabzonspor of Turkey's Ogenyi Onazi and Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel who plays for Tianjin Teda in China.

Awaziem was transferred directly from the club to FC Porto three years ago while John Obi Mikel left from the club to Pepsi Academy in 2001 before signing for Plateau United the next year.

Onazi had left Junior Elkanemi FC to join My People FC in Lagos before he played for Nigeria at U-17 level in 2009.

Among the three, only the captain of the Super Eagles, John Obi Mikel, is expected to start when Nigeria take on Croatia in their World Cup opener on the 16th of June.

Nigeria will also battle Iceland and Argentina in Group D.

Ferdinand Mbum