Referee Accepted It Was A Penalty, Mikel Reveals

Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has revealed that Turkish centre referee Cuneyt Cakin accepted that the ball struck the hand of Argentina’s defender Marcus Rojo in the 82nd minute; but Cakur refused to award what should have been a penalty to Nigeria.

Disclosing at the post match meeting in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday, Mikel said: "I asked the referee if he thought the ball struck Rojo’s hands and he said ‘yes;. The referee told me that the ball came off Rojo’s header before it hit his hand..”

Mikel said further: "I then asked Cakur why he didn’t award the penalty to Nigeria, he said: ‘ I don’t know.’ That was sad because we checked the match video in the dressing room and it was a clear penalty kick.

"When the ball touches your hands in the penalty box, it’s a penalty. No two ways about that. Maybe he doesn’t want to give us the second penalty . It is sad we had to exit the competition this way.

Speaking about his future with the national team, Mikel said he would be most delighted to lead the boys going further into the future.

"I’m happy playing with these bunch of players. I expect them to grow into a great side and I think this team would make a good impression in the next four years."

Reported by:  Olusola Oyadeji