Tuesday, 22 January 2008, 15:58 GMT
Mikel angry at Nigeria team-mates
By Oluwashina Okeleji
BBC Sport, Sekondi
John Mikel Obi says his Nigerian team-mates need to concentrate more and take responsibility for their mistakes following their defeat to Ivory Coast.
The 1-0 victory for the Ivorians leaves Nigeria joint bottom of Group B as they attempt to get their Africa Cup of Nations campaign back on track.
"We made one mistake and that was the goal. When you make such mistakes you pay dearly for it," he told BBC Sport.
"We should learn from them and people should take full responsibility."
The 20-year-old midfielder added: "If we can do that, we've got a long way to go in this tournament, because we've got a good team and we played well.
"We just need to concentrate all the time if we want to achieve anything."
606: DEBATE
"What we saw on Monday was further proof that the Super Eagles are a team in decline"
Farayi Mungazi - BBC World Service
Nigeria are still to face Mali and Benin in their remaining Group B matches.
The Super Eagles have reached the semi-finals at each Nations Cup they have contested since 1976, with the exception of the 1982 tournament.
But Mikel accepts that it will not be easy to reach the last four this time.
"There are no pushovers here, we just need to go into the games with determination.
"If we play like we did against Ivory Coast but with more focus, we will earn our wins.
"But it will be very tough."
E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:
Nigeria 0-1 Ivory Coast
(21 Jan 08 |
Africa Cup of Nations
)
Vogts says Nigeria will recover
(21 Jan 08 |
Africa Cup of Nations
)
RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Group-by-group team guides
World Service programmes and schedules
1Xtra Cup of Nations
Africa Cup of Nations
CAF
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Sport Homepage
|
Football
|
World Cup 2010
|
Formula 1
|
Olympics
|
Vancouver 2010
|
Cricket
|
Rugby Union
|
Rugby League
|
Tennis
|
Golf
|
Athletics
|
Cycling
|
Motorbikes
|
Boxing
|
Snooker
|
Horse Racing
|
Disability Sport
|
Other sport...
|
Sports Personality
|
TV/Radio Schedule
|
Sport Academy
|
Fun and Games
|
Inside Sport
|
Northern Ireland
|
Scotland
|
Wales
Football Contents:
World Cup 2010
|
My Club
|
Gossip
|
Premier League
|
Championship
|
League One
|
League Two
|
Non League
|
FA Cup
|
League Cup
|
Scottish Premier
|
Scottish League
|
Scottish Cups
|
Welsh
|
Irish
|
Europe
|
African
Women
|
Football Focus
|
Match of the Day
|
Final Score
|
World Football
|
Skills
|
Laws & Equipment
|
Get Involved
|
Your Game
^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©