Mikel: We plan to defeat Algeria but a draw won’t be bad

Super Eagles Captain John Obi Mikel says the team intends to win Saturday’s match against the Algerian national team, but that “a draw won’t be a bad idea”.

Speaking with TheCable at the end of Tuesday’s training session in Abuja, Mikel expressed optimism that the game will go well.

He admitted that their opponents are good, but charged his team mates to be up and doing.

“I think it’s going to be a very tactical game on Saturday. We want to win but a draw is not a bad result,” he said.

“We have to play to our strength and they will have to play to their own strength too.”

“Saturday’s game is going to be difficult. We will be playing against a very good side. So, we have to be very focused to ensure that we get the maximum three points.

He lauded the “team spirit” in camp, and preached “focus” as well as discipline.

“Team spirit is good. We all came out here this morning to do light work,” he said.

“We have to keep doing what we’ve been doing right. We look solid like a team. Defensively, we look good; going forward, we look good. We create chances, we score goals. So, we have to keep doing exactly what we are doing.

“We need to keep focus in the camp and be disciplined as well. We have to make sure that we work very hard.

“I think we are a very good side, we have a young team with a few experienced players, the team is very energetic and matching the Algerian counter attacks won’t be a problem for us.”