As Nigeria’s Super Eagles gear up for their Round of 16 encounter with Mozambique at AFCON 2025, defender Chidozie Awaziem has revealed the players who shaped his football journey. He cited former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel and legendary Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos as his most influential role models.
Awaziem, who has played twice in this year’s AFCON, explained that Mikel’s rise from humble beginnings to international acclaim left a lasting impression on him.
“John Obi Mikel has always been my idol,” Awaziem said, reflecting on the midfielder’s impact despite playing a different position. “Even though I’m not a midfielder, I’ve known him since I was young.”
The centre-back, who currently plays for FC Nantes, highlighted a personal connection with Mikel, noting they grew up in the same neighbourhood in Jos, Plateau State, and that Mikel also came through his academy.
“We lived in the same old area in Jos, so I’ve known Mikel for a long time. He also came from my academy, which made him someone I really looked up to,” he added.
Turning to his own defensive role, Awaziem pointed to Sergio Ramos as his benchmark. “For my position, Sergio Ramos is my idol. He represents everything a top defender should be,” he explained.
Despite his admiration for football legends, Awaziem emphasized that the team’s attention is squarely on AFCON glory, leaving past disappointments behind.
“Our focus now is the AFCON. The World Cup is in the past, and we’re no longer thinking about it. We want to give everything and fight for this trophy,” he said.
He also highlighted the unity and mental readiness within the squad as the tournament reaches its decisive stages in Morocco.
“Everyone is locked in. The players are focused, ready, and committed to giving their best to make Nigeria proud,” Awaziem said.
While confidence runs high, he refrained from making absolute guarantees, acknowledging the uncertainty inherent in football.
“I can’t promise anything. In football, you don’t make promises. You work hard, and the team that performs better on the day wins,” he explained.
Looking ahead to the showdown with Mozambique, Awaziem summarized Nigeria’s objective succinctly:
“We want to be the better team, create more chances, take those chances, and win the game,” he concluded.
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