Posted by BBC Sports on
John Mikel Obi believes he can help push Nigeria into the quarter-finals of the World Youth Championship in the Netherlands on Wednseday.
John Mikel Obi believes he can help push Nigeria into the quarter-finals of the World Youth Championship in the Netherlands on Wednseday.
The Flying Eagles face the Ukraine desperate to prolong their stay in the under-20 competition - especially after Morocco beat Japan 1-0 on Tuesday to book their place in the last eight.
Obi, who is at the centre of an astonishing transfer row between English clubs Manchester United and Chelsea, scored one of the goals in Nigeria's 3-0 win over Switzerland in their last group fixture.
"It's important to get a result against Ukraine who are a very strong team," Obi told BBC Sport ahead of the clash in the eastern city of Doetinchem.
"A win means we go into the quarter-finals and that will give us more confidence because we want to go all the way to the final."
The 18-year-old midfielder has become one of the key players for the Flying Eagles as the tournament progresses, creating numerous scoring opportunities for his strikers.
"I'm gradually finding my rythm in this competition after a difficult start against the Brazilians.
"I think I have improved with every match and hope to get to the standard I set myself before the tournament began.
"We also have a good coach and the team spirit is good because we play for one another.