Super Eagles assistant captain, Mikel Obi, has stated the Nigeria team as African champions won’t do badly at the FIFA Confederations Cup and this would help the team prepare for the big challenges of recording a good outing at the main FIFA World Cup finals.
“It is a good chance to see what the pitches and stadiums are like ahead of the World Cup, and hopefully we can be there in a year too,” Mikel told the Chelsea official website.
“We have a tough group with Spain and Uruguay, but it’s a chance for us to see where we are compared to other countries, if we make the World Cup.
“This competition will be good for us to test ourselves and we will see what happens.”
Early on Sunday, the Eagles landed in Belo Horizonte after a much-publicised row over win bonuses in Namibia.
And Chelsea midfielder Mikel said participation in the Confederations Cup will put he and the Eagles in the record books.
“It makes the season a little bit longer but it’s why we play football, to be champions and play in tournaments like this, to put your name in the record books,” he said.
“I love being an African champion; it doesn’t come often for many people.
“I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved and I hope we can keep enjoying it.”
He added: “I’ve not been to Brazil before, so this will be my first chance to go and play there. It will be great because I always looked up to the Brazilian team when I was growing up. Their football has always been what everyone looks at, so I would love to go there and also see the culture and how people live.”
