During his time with Chelsea Mikel won two Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League trophy, one Europa League title, four FA Cup, two League Cup and one Community Shield title.
Mikel reunites with Ferguson after 19 years
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Mikel reunites with Ferguson after 19 years
Mikel reunites with Ferguson after 19 years
Back in 2005, Mikel was a highly-rated youngster at Norwegian side Lyn Oslo with United tracking him.
The Nigerian starlet was seemingly snapped up by the Devils from the Norwegian club with a deal subsequently announced.
Mikel was pictured in a United shirt and they even went as far as to hold a press conference. But the move sensationally broke down after Chelsea waded in and Mikel said he felt pressured into the move.
“I signed a contract with Manchester United and I didn’t do that of my own free will,” Mikel told Sky Sports News in 2006.
“I was put under a lot of pressure to do that. I was denied advice from my agent and people I trust and I didn’t get much time to think about that.
“I did something I did not want to do. Because of the pressure from Mr Morgan (Andersen, Lyn’s sporting director) and a representative of United it became too much.
“I was pushed and I had nobody on my side so I had to do it.
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“I was denied a chance to have a week to think about it and get some independent advice from people so the pressure was too much.
According to several reports, Ferguson was due to fly to Norway for crisis talks but had to cancel his trip after he was told that the Nigerian had gone missing from training in Norway, and was thought to be heading to London for talks with Chelsea.
Eventually, he became a Blues’ player and would spend 11 trophy-laden years at Stamford Bridge.
Years later, on his podcast, Mikel revealed that when Chelsea played Manchester United, he was afraid of meeting Ferguson on the touchline. And when they eventually met each other, the retired Scottish manager had a dreadful look on his face.
Nineteen years later, the retired footballer met with Ferguson on the night of the UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley where both parties had a nice time.
On his Instagram post, Mikel shared a picture of himself with Ferguson with the caption, “He has forgiven me.”
Coming off the 2005 Under-17 FIFA World Cup with Nigeria, Mikel was one of the best young football prospects in the World.
Sports
AFCON 2025: Super Eagles to know qualifying opponents today
AFCON 2025: Super Eagles to know qualifying opponents today
Three-time winners and five-time runners-up. Nigeria’s opponents for the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals qualification race will be revealed today when the draw occurs in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The draw ceremony, held inside the SuperSport studio in South Africa’s commercial and economic capital, will divide the 48 countries into 12 groups of four teams each, with the top two teams in eleven of the groups qualifying directly to the finals, which are already scheduled for December 21st, 2025 – January 18th, 2026, while Morocco will qualify (regardless of where they finish) alongside one other team in the 12th group.
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The 48 qualified teams will be divided into 12 groups of four, with the top two automatically advancing to the tournament proper, which begins December 21, 2025.
The qualifying matches will occur during the FIFA windows of September, October, and November this year.
Today’s draw includes Nigeria’s opponents in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying race: Benin Republic, Lesotho, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
The AFCON 2025 finals will occur between December 21, 2025, and January 18, 2026.
AFCON 2025: Super Eagles to know qualifying opponents today
Sports
Lightning strike kills 2 footballers in Delta
Lightning strike kills 2 footballers in Delta
A heavy downpour in Issele-Azagba, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, turned tragic on Tuesday as lightning struck 12 footballers and their referee, resulting in the instant death of two players.
The incident occurred in the evening at the Osemeke Primary School field, where 13 youths were engaged in a six-a-side football match. The lightning struck during the rain, creating a sudden and devastating situation for those involved.
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The community is now in mourning over the loss of these young lives. Details about the condition of the other players and the referee are still emerging as the community comes to grips with the tragedy.
Authorities are likely to investigate further to understand the full extent of the incident and provide support to the affected families.
Lightning strike kills 2 footballers in Delta
Sports
Finidi George emerges Rivers United head coach
Finidi George emerges Rivers United head coach
Former Super Eagles coach, Finidi George, has been unveiled as the Rivers United coach.
He signed a two-year contract.
The unveiling took place at the Rivers United’s secretariat in Port Harcourt.
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The 54-year-old will now take over the reign at the former Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions following Stanley Eguma’s sack towards the end of last season.
Rivers United who finished eighth position in the NPFL last season will hope to get the best out of the former Ajax winger who led nine-time NPFL champions, Enyimba to the 2022/2023 NPFL glory
Finidi George emerges Rivers United head coach
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