I’m hungry to play at Tokyo 2020 Olympics, says Mikel

Mikel Obi, captain of Dream Team VI and Nigerian contingent to the Rio 2016 Olympics, says winning bronze medal in Brazil has left him with the hunger to play at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

Writing a column for Evening Standard, Mikel expressed satisfaction with his exploits at Rio and warned his Chelsea teammates not to be “jealous” of his bronze medal when he rejoins the club.

“When I woke up in my hotel room on Sunday morning, I opened my eyes to see my Olympic bronze medal lying there beside me,” he said.

“It just hammered home to me what I had achieved with the rest of my Nigeria teammates the day before. We beat Honduras 3-2 to get the bronze and secure Nigeria’s first Olympics medal in any sport since 2008. All of us went into the game knowing this and it put extra pressure on the squad to perform.

“The team actually played very well for the most parts. We controlled the game, I created three goals to put us 3-0 up and it was all very comfortable. But we conceded two late on and all of a sudden it looked like everything was going downhill.

“They made us sweat a bit and we were relieved to come out victorious. I was obviously very clear before travelling to Brazil that my target was the gold medal.

“But to get the bronze is still an amazing achievement. There was a celebration at the hotel afterwards; we were all jumping around. Everyone was so excited. But we managed to get everyone to sit down together and have a team meal.”

He added that with everything the team had been through, it was great to have something to show for it.

“We all thanked one another. I went to sleep last night with my medal beside me; I couldn’t and didn’t want to let it out of my sight.

“It really is a dream come true for me, for my family, my two little angels — my twin baby girls — my wonderful girlfriend, who has supported me all the way.

“I might take the medal to the Chelsea training ground to show to the other players — I hope I don’t make them jealous though! But first of all, I want to celebrate with my family, put it around my daughters’ neck, take pictures and make sure they get to see what daddy achieved.
“This experience has given me the hunger to do it again at the Olympics in Tokyo in 2020.

“I will be only 33 then and my game will still be at a high level. I enjoyed every minute of being in Brazil and I have been talking to the other guys about playing in another Olympics. I’m already looking forward to it and the countdown is on!”

Mikel also spoke about his return to Chelsea and how he now has to work hard to break into the Chelsea team despite missing most of pre-season and having to work with a new manager.

“It’s also provided me with a nice lift as I return to Chelsea. I will go back to see the manager [Antonio Conte] and see what his plans are for me,” he said.

“I want to get back into training and prove myself. I want to play and help the team to win games. I know it will be difficult because I have missed most of pre-season and the coach has a new way of playing, but it is a positive thing for me that I have been playing well out here in Brazil and I’m in good shape.

“I will need a few days off first, because this tournament has been so draining. I arrive back in London on Wednesday morning and the game against Burnley on Saturday will come too early to feature in.

“The plan is to have a little break, which is why the timing couldn’t be better as the season stops for two weeks for international fixtures after the Burnley game anyway.”