23rd October, 2012
Mikel Obi has said Chelsea are in hot form to beat Shakhtar Donetsk tonight to open a gap at the top of their UEFA Champions League group.
Defending champions, Chelsea lead Group E with four points, same with second-placed Shakthar Donetsk, but tonight, the English team face Ukrainian champions who have not lost at home to English opposition.
However, the Nigeria midfielder told MTNFootball.com that the current form of Chelsea gives him a lot of confidence that they will come out victorious against the home team.
“We have been doing well this season in all the competitions, we are in good form and our spirit is very high, I don’t see Shakhtar stopping us,” he remarked.
“They are a great side with some good players, but we will get the three points because we want to open gap at the top of the group.
“I am not underrating them, but I am happy with the way we have been playing and winning games. Our never-say-die attitude has been great.”
Meanwhile, former Super Eagles’ captain, Kanu Nwankwo has tipped Nigerian midfielder, Mikel to win the African Footballer of the Year award ahead of other contenders.
Nwankwo, who won the award in 1996 and 1999, said he is convinced that Mikel has what it takes to clinch the award ahead of the likes of Manchester City’s Ivorian player, Yaya Toure and his compatriot, Didier Drogba, who led his former club, Chelsea to win the 2010/11 UEFA Champions League trophy last season.
The former BBC African Footballer of the Year on two occasions: 1997 and 1999 said with Obi’s input last season he sees the pendulum swinging in the way of the former Lyn Oslo of Norway player.
According to Nwankwo “I see Mikel win the African Footballer of the Year ahead other players nominated by the Confederation of African Football, CAF”