To perform under pressure is a probably a desirable skill for every employer. But having your father kidnapped is perhaps something else.
Nigeria received praise worldwide for the tough fight it gave to World Cup favourites Argentina. But what the world didn’t know was that Nigeria’s captain Mikel John Obi received a call fours hours prior to the match that his father has been kidnapped.
The kidnappers threatened to shoot his father if he let anyone know. But, he decided to keep his head cool because he had to give his best for the fans.
He told Guardian, “ I did not know what to do but, in the end, I knew that I could not let 180 million Nigerians down. I had to shut it out of my head and go and represent my country first. I could not even inform the coaches or NFF staff and only a very tight circle of my friends knew.”
He kept it to himself as he didn’t want to become a distraction for the team. He led the team beautifully and Nigeria would have made it to the Last 16 but for the late goal by Marcos Rojo.
His father has been released and is recovering from the torture the kidnappers had him go through.
Such dedication is rare to find and Mikel sure set an example for us all.
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