Mikel Obi does not have the “aura and luck that could win the country anything” that was why the team crashed out of the 2018 World Cup, says Spiritual Leader, INRI Evangelical Church, Lagos, Primate Ayodele Elijah.
Nigeria lost 1-2 to Argentina in their group clash to crash out of the competition.
However, speaking to journalists at his church secretariat over the weekend, Ayodele recalled that he warned President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick not to let Mikel captain the side to the World Cup.
He also warned Pinnick not to seek re-election as leader of the NFF, saying such advice was in “good faith.”
“When you have a leadership that arrogates power and knowledge to itself and does not take any advice, even when such advice is in good faith, the end result is predictable,” the clergyman added.
“For those who had ears to listen when last I spoke, the Eagles ouster didn’t come as a surprise.
“I warned that if Mikel Obi led the team as captain, they would not go past the first round. Mikel does not have the aura and luck that could win the country anything meaningful. But they did not listen.”
He added: “Should he [Pinnick] lead the NFF again in the new dispensation, the Super Eagles will witness a downward progression in their rating and will become the weakest team in the continent.
“I don’t know Pinnick or Mikel and there is nothing personal in all I am saying. I am not the kind of Pastor who works for money. I say it as it is and whatever I say is what God has revealed to me.”
