Head coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, has said that he was shocked that Mikel Obi played their last Group D game at the 2018 World Cup against Argentina, after hearing his father had been kidnapped.
Rohr who described Mikel Obi as a real leader said it shows that the Tianjin TEDA player has a good mental strength to be able to play in such a serious situation.
Rohr said he only found out after Pa Michael was released on Monday. He told KweséESPN.
“I was very surprised to hear this.
“I did not know about it because he did not tell me.
“But it shows that he has good mental strength to be able to play in this situation. He is a real leader.
“If I know about it, I would let him decide. No pressure.
“I have full confidence in him to make the best decision for himself, his family and his country.
The German also said it is shocking that such a thing could happen to anybody especially somebody who represents his country.
Mikel Obi’s father, Pa Michael Obi, was kidnapped on the day of the game on June 26. Mikel received the shocking news as he travelled on the team bus to the stadium in St Petersburg last Tuesday. A family member called him and told him that he had to call the kidnappers on a designated number.
READ ALSO: I COULD NOT LET 180 MILLION NIGERIANS DOWN! Mikel Obi says he played against Argentina while his father was in the hands of bandits
Mikel said they threatened to shoot his dad if he reported to the authorities or told anybody. They had demanded $28,000 as ransom.
