Mikel returns to Chelsea

[Blueboy 14]

Chelsea's involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations 2010 ended on Thursday when John Mikel Obi's Nigeria were eliminated by Ghana.

The Black Stars hung on for a 1-0 win after taking an early lead, and despite tiring in the final stages proved solid enough without Michael Essien to seal progression to Sunday's Final.

The goal came from Asamoah Gyan once again, who has been a clinical presence in attack throughout the tournament in Angola, while Nigeria were once again disappointing.

Mikel started at the heart of midfield alongside Yusuf Ayila and Sani Kaita, in a more advanced role to the one he takes up for Chelsea, no doubt grateful for the absence of his club team-mate Michael Essien from the opposition line-up.

Ghana's young side had impressed on its Angolan adventure so far and would demand Nigeria raise their game if they would reach the Final, the Super Eagles only beating Zambia on penalties in the quarter-final after an uninspiring goalless draw.

It was the Ghanaians that had the first sight of goal, Andre Ayew trying an ambitious back heel from a corner, easy for Nigerian goalie Vincent Enyeama to gather.

Their next shot on target proved more fruitful. Twenty minutes in Asamoah Gyan, their top scorer at the tournament, got in front of his marker and powerfully headed home Matthew Amoah's precise near-post corner.

Nigeria responded well, Peter Odemwingie msifired into Obafemi Martins' path, and the former Newcastle man should have scored but found Richard Kingson, Ghana's goalkeeper, in good form.

Mikel was seeing plenty of the ball but struggling to impose himself in the right areas, his possession mainly confined to the areas in and around the centre-circle as Ghana's youngsters snapped away, defending resolutely and looking fitter than their more experienced opponents.

It just wasn't quite happening for Nigeria, and when they did get into decent positions, as Odemwingie did in first-half stoppage time, they were wasteful, on that occasion the forward snatching at his shot and dragging it well wide of goal.

Before half-time Mikel went down after catching his foot in the turf, requiring treatment but he was okay to continue in the second period.

The Chelsea man created a superb opening for Nigeria on the hour-mark, lifting a delicate ball over the Ghanaian back line for Martins, who was well denied by the advancing Kingson before Chinedu Obasi fired high moments later, at least providing encouragement for Shaibu Amodu's side.

Mikel fired wide before Amodu made changes, Victor Obinna, a forward, on for midfielder Yusuf and Aiyegbeni Yakubu on for Odemwingie.

The Everton forward had a golden chance just moments after coming on, a cross fizzed into the near-post where it struck him on the thigh and rebounded wide. In truth it could have gone anywhere, and he complained afterwards that the ball from Elderson Echiejile should have come along the ground rather than in the air.

Finally Nigeria were really beginning to press, Martins had another opportunity on 76 minutes but was crowded out, the tired Ghanaians just hanging on.

Four minutes of injury time could only bring the Nigerians a lengthy shot that flew well wide of Kingson's goal, and Ghana could even have scored a second on the counter-attack had Haminu Draman's mishit cross been better struck.

In the end it wasn't needed, and Mikel will be making his way back to Stamford Bridge pondering what might have been.

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chelseafc.com

That's everyone back, wich ACN was everybody talking about lol. Apart from the injury of Essien

Edited January 28, 2010 by Blueboy

[warnie_666 1,081]

Right, I expect to see him on bench against Hull and Start against Arsenal.

[boshman 1,073]

Unlucky Mikel.... I thought this was the month we were meant to faulter. We win all four games and score 17 goals in the meantime. Now we have everyone back it all looks rosy...

[Steve 10,227]

A shame would of liked to see one of our lads play in the final but atleast we have everyone back.

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

Can we please keep him as impact player at the moment, I like the team we have before the African players came back.

[James 5,143]

Don't Nigeria have to play a 3rd place playoff as yet?

[boshman 1,073]

Don't Nigeria have to play a 3rd place playoff as yet?

Yes, that will be played on 30th Jan.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Spot on Jim. Bronze Final/3rd Place Play-off has yet to be played.

[Badboy 1,526]

I am really happy he is coming back he is the best defensive midfielder we have.

[.sum41 229]

he is the best defensive midfielder we have.

What about Essien?