'Shola gave Nigeria a call when he was 30' - Mikel joins dual nationality debate with dig at Newcastle icon

Retired Nigeria international John Obi Mikel has criticized dual-eligible players who give priority to representing other countries over their African nationality.

This stems from the racism controversy surrounding Enzo Fernández and his Argentine teammates who made a mockery of France's players eligible to play for African countries during their Copa America triumph celebration.

The Super Eagles also have a history with players who initially represented other countries before choosing to play for Nigeria having failed to secure a spot with their initial national team.

Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman is a prime example of this as former Nigeria gaffer Gernot Rohr had contacted him to come represent the country in 2017 but chose to represent the England U20s at the 2017 Fifa U20 World Cup.

Lookman would go on to win the tournament but couldn't get a call-up to play for the Three Lions and eventually chose to represent the 2013 AFCON champions in 2022 and made his debut in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Speaking on The Obi One podcast, Mikel didn't hold back on players who chose to prioritize other countries over playing for their African country.

"They say they want to play for England, France, or another country. And then, they wait and they keep waiting and waiting, then when they get to 25 or 26 and they don't get a call-up, they call Nigeria," Mikel said.

"We shouldn't be treated as second options, we are not second options. You should be proud of your African roots, you should be proud to represent your African country.

"I want the best players to play in Africa, so you rather make a decision and stand by it, if you decide you want to play for England, stick to it, sit and wait.

"If you don't get a call-up, then you don't get a call-up. Don't wait until you're 29 or 30 when you're past your best before calling Nigeria."

The former Chelsea star also cited the example of Newcastle United legend Shola Ameobi who initially chose to represent England but upon not being given the opportunity to represent England decided to play for the Super Eagles in the twilight of his career.

"He had the opportunity to come play for Nigeria. You know Nigeria were chasing him for years and he refused. Obviously, he had this partnership with Alan Shearer at Newcastle.

"They were banging in the goals, the partnership was flourishing they were having an amazing season and of course, the Nigerian FA kept asking him to come play for us but said he was waiting for England. 

"Shola gave Nigeria a call when he was 29, almost 30 to come to play for us and then he came and he played only one year.

"The Nigerian FA didn't have an option because we were going to the World Cup. But he waited till he was past his best and decided to come play for Nigeria.

"Those are the things I am talking about, we are not second option. I didn't know what the situation was with his family back then but this is just an example."

Ameobi would go on to play in eight games for Nigeria, scoring one goal and grabbing two assists.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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