'Chelsea has slowed down MIKEL'S GREATNESS’

 

Mikel Obi

BALA MUSA who discovered Mikel Obi has said the Chelsea ace would have been a bigger star but he has been played out of position. Coach Musa aka ‘Aji B’,who runs the El Kanemi Academy in Jos, Nigeria, said Mikel is best when he is on the offensive because his vision and accurate passes are second to none. However, the coach said that none of Chelsea big-name managers, from Jose Mourinho to Roberto di Matteo, have exploited these qualities that would have made him one of the best players in the world.

MTNFootball.com: Do you believe Mikel Obi will be at this level in his career by now while he was playing under you?

Coach Bala Musa: Yes, I knew he would be a great player because he has all the attributes to be so.

Even the people who watched our trainings and matches always talked about him, even some of the players were unhappy with me that I had a special interest in him and that was because of his exceptional qualities. I am happy that he is on top now.

This is the second time he is qualifying for the final of UEFA Champions League in four years, what do you have to say about this?

I feel great. This is a competition every player wants to play and win. I am happy for him. This year’s final is

a special one because he is going to play, unlike the last time when he was on bench throughout.

I encouraged him after the semi-finals to go all out in the final and I now see him winning it.

What are the qualities of Mikel that made you see him differently from his peers?

It is a pity that Chelsea has not yet discovered his real qualities. He is not playing the same role he was playing then. He attacked then, but now he is defensive. They will see Mikel’s best when he plays an attacking role.

Even as a teenager, Mikel’s passes were accurate and second to none, he created space to dribble opponents and was very good at shielding ball from opponents.

Who can you liken Mikel to in the world of football?

Had he been allowed to exhibit his qualities to the fullest, he would have been in the mould of Andrea Iniesta.

He is doing well in his defensive role for Chelsea but he would have done a lot better in attack.

Who are the other players you discovered?

I discovered Joseph Akpala, Onazi Ogenyi (Lazio), Henry Ihelewere (Romania) and Ahmed Sulaiman, who has just moved to Norway.

What have your academy gained from being that one that started out Mikel?

A lot. We have never lacked quality kits and other equipment and he has promised to buy a bus for us when he returns home for the holidays. He also promised to send me on a coaching course.He has been helping the players, he always trains with them whenever he is around and that is enough motivation for the younger ones.

Do you have any players of his quality in your academy?

No. It will be difficult to have such a player these days because players now are not giving 100% to their career. They have a lot of things distracting them like music and partying.Mikel was very focussed while he was with me and was always ready to learn. He was punctual to training and matches, he was always first to arrive. During his time, all the players then gave everything to training.We still have talented players but their attitude is not helping matters.

What kind of person is Mikel Obi really?

Mikel is an easy going person who respects everyone despite his status. He does not look down on anybody and he has not forgotten all his friends and everybody he came across while struggling to make it.He is cheerful and funny. He is full of life and straight forward.Above all, he has a very good heart to help people as he never forgotten where he was coming from.