Kelechi Nwakali Says He’s First In Line To Take Mikel Obi’s Spot

Three days ago, Nigeria played an international friendly against Ukraine. Although new recruit, Josh Maja wore the number 10 jersey for the match, it seems it hasn’t been decided who will actually take Mikel Obi‘s spot on the team, at least in Kelechi Nwakali‘s mind.

Recently, the under-23 player said he’s first in line to inherit Obi’s spot on the senior team. With speculations that the iconic number 10 shirt will go to either Alex Iwobi or Samuel Chukwueze, as well as Nwakali’s bold statement, it seems there’s a tug of war going on here.

Since Obi’s retirement, no one has considered the 21-year-old as a possible replacement, and for good reason. Following his 2018 debut with the Super Eagles, he hasn’t returned, sticking instead with the Dream Team, which he led to qualifying for the 2019 Africa under-23 Cup of Nations.

That doesn’t seem to matter to Nwakali, as All Nigeria Soccer quoted him saying:

“I am still the heir apparent to Mikel. I believe my own is to do the playing and whenever it is time for me to come I am always available.

Of course, I am still knocking on the door of the Super Eagles. That’s why we keep playing every day.”

Well, let’s see how it all goes.