TheCable

Super Eagles Captain, John Obi Mikel, says he is now mature to shoulder the responsibility of leading the team.

Mikel said this on Friday during an interactive session which the team had with the media in Abuja.

“Sometimes when you are young, you make mistakes but the more you grow up, the more you know the things that are more important,” he said.

“I think that I am beginning to know where I come from and that is more important than anything.

“I have more responsibility now to lead the country and the team; I think that is what I am doing right now because I enjoy every bit of it.”

Mikel said the team wants “to put things right” by qualifying for the 2018 world soccer tournament.

He said the Eagles would use the opportunity of the world cup qualifying matches to make up for not qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) two consecutive times.

He explained that though the weather would be hot in Zambia, going by the time of the match with the Chipolopolo, the Eagles would be careful to avoid a defeat.

“We want to use this World Cup qualifiers to put things right; I don’t think we are under any pressure but we must put in our best to win,” he said.

“I think we have to go out there and play well to win; we want to qualify for the World Cup and there is no doubt about that.

“Just like the coach said, we will not only be thinking about scoring but to also defend to ensure we win. So, we have to attack together and defend together; in doing this, we are sure of winning Zambia in Ndola on Sunday.”

The team is expected to depart Abuja for Ndola on Saturday for the match against Chipolopolo on Sunday.

It is on record that Nigeria has won six of 16 previous matches with Zambia, drawing five and losing five.