Nantes of France defender, Chidozie Awaziem, has revealed how the Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel’s mentality is helping the team win matches.

He said the importance of the former Chelsea midfielder in the team cannot be over emphasised as it gives a natural edge against opponents.

The 20 year-old, who put in an impressive shift for Nigeria in their 4-2 win over Argentina on Tuesday, said Mikel’s winning mentality is rubbing off on the team.

He told Own Goal, “The captain (Mikel) gives us an edge, he is a serial winner and his mentality of ‘we can win all games’ is working for us on the pitch. We approach games without fear because he keeps on encouraging us to fight.

“In the game against Argentina even at 2-0 down, he urged us to keep on playing to our strength. We kept on moving and got rewarded for our efforts, he is magical.

“Beside playing alongside him to some of us is enough reason to put in your best because few years ago we were watching him on television for Chelsea. You can’t afford to give less when he is giving all.”