Nigerian captain Mikel's father kidnapped hours before vital World Cup match

Source: Xinhua| 2018-07-03 21:30:38|Editor: Shi Yinglun
Video PlayerClose

By Paul Giblin

MOSCOW, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria star John Obi Mikel revealed on Tuesday that he was told his father had been kidnapped just hours before he captained the side in their final World Cup Group D match against Argentina on June 26.

Mikel told The Guardian newspaper he was in the Nigeria team bus on the way to the stadium in St Petersburg when he received a call from a family member saying his father had been taken by kidnappers demanding a ransom.

"I had to suppress the trauma. I took a call four hours before kick-off to tell me what had happened," he explained.

"I played while my father was in the hands of bandits," Mikel told the paper.

Th player admitted he had been distraught, but that "in the end, I knew that I could not let 180 million Nigerians down. I had to shut it out of my head and go and represent my country first. I could not even inform the coaches or staff and only a very tight circle of my friends knew," continued Mikel.

The player informed the paper he was told the kidnappers "would shoot my dad instantly if I reported to the authorities or told anybody," and that he had kept the kidnap a secret because "I did not want my issue to become a distraction on the day of such an important game."

Mikel's father was kidnapped in southeast Nigeria and although he was subsequently released, Mikel confirmed that he had been tortured by his captors.

"Thankfully, my father was safely released on Monday afternoon. I thank the police authorities for their rescue efforts and the support I've received from friends and family members. Unfortunately, my dad is now in hospital receiving emergency treatment as a result of the torture he received during his capture," he said.?

TOP STORIES
EDITOR’S CHOICE
MOST VIEWED
EXPLORE XINHUANET
010020070750000000000000011100001372991601
国产无码在线观看免费在线,37pao国产成视频,日韩一区二区视频在线,国产国产人免费人成免费视频麻豆
一区二区三区高清aⅴ专区 三级网站免在线看 | 亚洲一级在线爱潮 | 亚洲精品视频三级在线看 | 午夜三级理论在线观看时 | 这里有精品综合久久 | 在线不卡AV电影在线观看 |