Former Nigerian midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has alleged that ex-Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi exercised significant influence over the national team, reportedly affecting squad selections and preventing certain players from being called up.

Onazi shared his account during the Home Turf podcast, citing Tony Nwakaeme as one of the players who allegedly missed out on national team invitations due to Mikel’s influence.

“Mikel was extremely influential while he played for the Super Eagles. There were players he ensured were not invited,” Onazi said, mentioning Nwakaeme, who earned only a single cap for Nigeria. He added that Mikel later apologised to Nwakaeme during a meeting in Istanbul, acknowledging the situation.

Despite this, Onazi spoke highly of Mikel’s positive impact on his own career. He recalled that Mikel often brought football boots, jerseys, and money from England, sharing them with teammates, and described playing alongside him as a privilege.

“Mikel was a great player and an inspiration. Seeing him succeed at clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United made me believe I could reach that level too. He was generous and supportive, and I was lucky to benefit from that,” Onazi said.

He also reflected on occasional on-field disagreements, noting that he always respected Mikel’s seniority. “Even when we disagreed during games, I would apologise afterward because he was my senior. That never affected our relationship,” Onazi added.

The pair later reunited at Trabzonspor in Turkey in 2019, where Onazi played a key role in convincing the club to sign Mikel. He also helped influence Mikel’s decisions regarding other transfers, demonstrating the trust and respect between the two players.