Super Eagles lose to Algeria 1-2, as ex-captain Mikel Obi announces retirement from football

Super Eagles of Nigeria, for the second time in the one week of international friendlies, has failed to beat the Desert Foxes of Algeria, losing by 2-1 in a match played in Oran, in the North African country, Tuesday night.

This is also as former Super Eagles captain and one of the most decorated Nigeria international, Jon Mikel Obi announced his retirement from the sport, Tuesday, ending a career spanning two decades, replete with the European Champions League title, and others.

The match was the last leg of the two-match fixture against Algeria, with the first one played earlier ending 2-2 against a selected home-based Algerian national team.

The two countries conspicuously missing out in the November FIFA World Cup had opted for the international friendly to occupy the FIFA approved window, the last before the global tournament in Qatar.

Terem Moffi gave the Nigerian side a ninth-minute lead, but Manchester City forward Riyad Mahrez drew Algeria level with a penalty kick goal in the 41st minute.

Algerian midfielder Youcef Atal scored in the 61st minute to hand the Desert Foxes the lead and ultimately the win.

While the Super Eagles are three-time African Nations Cup champions, the North Africans have two titles.

Even though Tuesday’s tie is only the second international friendly between the Desert Foxes and the Super Eagles, the two countries know each other fairly well with 21 previous meetings over the years.

Meanwhile, former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has retired from football.

He made the announcement via his Instagram handle.

“There is a saying that “all good things must come to an end”, and for my professional football career, that day is today,” he said.

“I look back at the past 20 years of my career, and I must say that I am very satisfied with all that I was able to achieve and more importantly the human it has helped shape.

“All of this would not have been possible without the unwavering support of my family, managers, clubs, coaches, teammates and most importantly my ever-loyal fans. You supported me through my highs and lows, even on days that I did not live up to your expectations. I say a big thank you.”

Mikel charged younger players to hold on to their dreams and never give up.

He assured fans that he may have hung his boots, but won’t completely turn his back on the round leather game.

“I will also like to encourage everyone who I may have inspired one way or the other in the course of my career to never give up on their dreams, for every time you think about quitting, remind yourself why you started.

“This is not goodbye, it’s the start of another journey, another chapter of my life. I look forward to what the future holds and I hope you will walk with me. Thank you,” he concluded.