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Mikel Obi Slams FIFA Referee Cuneyt Cakir For Nigeria Exit From World Cup, Reveals What He Told Him After Match
Mikel Obi Slams Corrupt Turkish Referee Cuneyt Cakir For Nigeria Exit From World Cup, Reveals What He Told Him After Match
Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi said last night Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakin accepted that the ball struck the hand of Argentina’s defender Marcus Rojo in the 82nd minute, but refused to award a penalty.
The penalty, if awarded and scored at a time the match was 1-1, could have wrapped up a second round ticket for the Eagles.
Speaking at the post match briefing in St Petersburg, Mikel said: “I asked the referee if he thought the ball struck Rojo’s hand and he said ‘yes;. The refeee told me that the ball came off Rojo’s head before it hit his hand.”
Mikel added:” I then asked Cakur why he didn’t award the penalty to Nigeria, he said: ‘ I don’t know.’ That was sad because we checked the match video in the dressing room and it was a clear penalty kick.
“When the ball touches your hand in the penalty box, it’s a penalty. No two ways about that. Maybe he didn’t want to give us the second penalty. It is sad we had to exit the competition this way.
The same referee was inconsistent. Twenty four hours earlier in the same circumstances, he gave a panelty to Iran against Portugal.
Yesterday’s match ended 2-1 in favour of Argentina.
Nigerians had looked forward hopefully that Eagles would get a draw to move to the second round.
However, the Eagles failed to defend well in the crucial moments of the game. They were on the defensive most of the second half.
Lionel Messi struck early before the Victor Moses equaliser in the 51st minute via a well taken penalty. Messi’s goal was fantastic. He collected a diagonal pass from Ever Banega with his thigh, dragging the ball into position before hitting it beyond the reach of Francis Uzoho.
It could have been a brace for Messi, but 19-year-old Nigerian goalkeeper Uzoho pushed the Argentine’s terrific free kick off the far post.
Wilfred Ndidi blazed a shot over the bar in the 71st minute as Nigeria looked to put an end to all doubt.
Odion Ighalo also had two glorious chances to put Nigeria ahead but The China-based striker fluffed them to the dismay of Nigerians.
Speaking about his future with the national team, Mikel said he would be most delighted to lead the boys going further into the future.
I’m happy playing with this bunch of players. I expect them to grow into a great side and I think this team would make a good imression in the next four years. They are good boys with bright future,” he said.’Of course, we did everything we could; we pushed and pushed to get the goal but it was to be.
“We want to thank all Nigerians for their support; and we have to keep going.” [NAN]

Kunle Ilahor
June 27, 2018 at 4:27 PM
The ugly duckling intentionally robbed Nigeria of the crown yesterday with the support of his corrupt FIFA bosses.
I hate world cup it is satanic.
iron bar
June 27, 2018 at 4:57 PM
politics and propaganda every where.The umpire will continue to live with that guilt forever.well played.una do well..life continues
Jesuit Onye
June 27, 2018 at 5:06 PM
fifa is corrupt an =not surprised.
The guy was just acting on instruction from above. He has to comply if he doesn’t want to lose his job
Danti
June 27, 2018 at 6:50 PM
Apart from that call, why couldn’t our boys move the ball around to run down the time? We lack maturity! Go back to the video online, and tell me what Nigeria did with four added minutes: brainless nothingness. Mikel did not do his duties, communication was absent in the back, our forwards are super flop. While millionaire Argentina players were defending with everything, our second rated players were doing Nollywood juggling.
Olaizo
June 27, 2018 at 10:44 PM
Se na those who played qualifying matches be this??
Simple Question
Na until when we go back to the drawing board of man knows man to make Eagles selection, I swear we no fit move,
Boys dey for 9ja wey no be professional players but wey go face this match and win Argentina straight down,
We always dey believed say we can’t make it from home until we go abroad…. continue
Keep it real
June 27, 2018 at 11:26 PM
correct talk my bro!!!
Amanda
June 28, 2018 at 5:36 AM
Medicine after death. Nigeria and Argentina have history. Apart from Atlanta 1996 , Argentina always beat nigeria by 1 goal regardless of situation. Let’s go back to previous World Cups.
On June 21st 1994, Argentina beat Nigeria 2-1
On June June 2nd 2002 Korea/Japan Argentina beat Nigeria 1-0
On June 12 2010 South Africa Argentina beat Nigeria 1-0
On June 25th 2014 Argentina beat Nigeria 3-2
On June 26 2018 Argentina beat Nigeria 2-1
So clearly they have history. Until Nigeria is ready to break the cycle of defeat, i don’t want to hear stories after the deal has been done. And the reason they lost is most likely lack of team work like they did to Rashidi Yekini in US 1994. Nigerians have habit of overpraising man of the match like they did to Musa. Was the same done to Yekini. This is recipe for disaster in the next march. What happens is they refuse to feed Musa just like they refused to feed Yekini. All of them now want to score by undermining each other.
Yes, i certainly agree there should have been penalty against Argentina. But that’s cheap anyway. We should be able to score conventional goal. Anyways, it is over.
ALEX&RIA
June 29, 2018 at 9:01 PM
Well said @ Amanda.
In fact immediately dey finished dt match, I put d photo of Late Rashidi Yekini on my watsapp dp. Wat dey did 2 him and Coach Westerhorf will neva make Nigeria 2 reach any place in d senior world cup again. #no be cause ooo na just true talk.
Den, dey shld learn 2 appreciate our super falcons. Without dt notin 4 dem q4 world cup.
Goodnews Sunday
June 28, 2018 at 8:17 AM
The deed have been done, lets look forward to the next four years by Gods Grace. Nigeria is my Country.
Stanley Jones
June 28, 2018 at 12:39 PM
Amanda are you trying to make us believe your Northern brother could’ve done better?