John Mikel Obi

Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi has been named Captain of Team Nigeria to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio beginning August 5, 2016.

Obi, one of the three over-aged players invited to the national U-23 football team for the games is making his first appearance at an Olympic Games.

A statement from the Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister of Sports, Nneka Ikem Anibeze on Tuesday says table tennis star Funke Oshonaike is the assistant team captain. This will be Oshonaike’s sixth appearance at the Olympics after she debuted at Atlanta ’96.

The Dream Team VI is expected to depart for Rio from Atlanta, USA on 29 July 2016. Other athletes hopefully, will leave Nigeria on the same day.

Mikel Obi and Funke Oshonaike were chosen because of their consistency, patriotism and dedication to national assignments.

“Mikel is a young, patriotic footballer of international status and we believe he will be a role model to the upcoming athletes while Funke Oshonaike is experienced and is one of the oldest athletes in the team. We believe that their combined efforts will bring goodwill to Team Nigeria and project the county’s image positively to the world”.