Mikel wins second EPL title with Chelsea

Mikel Obi

Nigeria’s current biggest export in football, Mikel Obi, on Sunday won his second English Premier League title with Chelsea after a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace at the Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea won the match to emerge league winners with three matches to spare as they have amassed 83 points from 35 matches. The closest team to them, Manchester City, have 70 points from their 35 matches played but prove to be no threat to Chelsea as they cannot catch up even if Chelsea lose the remaining three matches.

Although Mikel played for 45 minutes in the match, as he was a 46th minute substitute for Juan Cuadrado, he played a part in the build up to the goal which was scored by Eden Hazard from a rebound after his initial penalty kick had been saved.

Mikel has played 16 times for Chelsea in the EPL this season but has only started four times while appearing as a substitute on 12 occasions.

Mikel’s elder brother, Tony Obi, told AfricanFootball.com that they are very happy with Mikel’s achievement and they hosted family members and friends at their home after the game.

He said, “We were all glued to the TV screen few minutes before the game started to watch the game and see Mikel winning the title.

“We are all very happy here to see him winning the title; it has been God all the way for his life and career. It was not an easy feat.

“We prepared delicious food and bought drinks for the celebration because we believed he was winning the title today (Sunday). All the family members and some friends watched the game together and we ate and drank together to celebrate. As you know us here, this is a Christian family, we always give God thanks for everything, and we will be holding a thanksgiving service for this achievement next Sunday at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Jos.”

Meanwhile in the French Ligue 1, Super Eagles captain, Vincent Enyeama, could not keep a clean sheet in Lille’s 3-1 win over Lens on Sunday.

Enyeama last kept a clean sheet on April 19 in their 2-0 win over Bordeaux. He was in goal last week, when they suffered a 6-1 loss to Paris St Germain as they battle for a spot in the UEFA Europa League qualifications.

Also, Brown Ideye was an 80th minute substitute for Saido Berahino on Saturday as Westbromwich Albion defeated Manchester United 1-0.

Ideye has been on a dry spell for the club since last scoring on March 14 in their 1-0 win against Stoke City. He has six goals in all competitions for the club so far.

Odion Ighalo was also a substitute for Watford on Saturday in their 1-1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday. Although they have qualified for the EPL, they missed out on a chance to win the Championship title