"We Know It's Important To win On Friday" - Mikel

Nigeria captain Mikel John Obi has expressed his desire to lead his country to their sixth appearance at the Fifa World Cup next year.

If Nigeria's Super Eagles qualify it will be only Mikel's second appearance at the World Cup after his debut at the 2014 edition in Brazil, and the Tianjin TEDA midfielder made it clear to a packed conference room on Wednesday that the squad "want to go to the World."

He added that every player in the Nigeria squad know the task ahead as they prepare to face African champions Cameroon on Friday in the first of two meetings in the space of four days.

The former Chelsea man made it clear that it is imperative that they defeat the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon to brighten their chances of reaching the 2018 edition of the Fifa World Cup in Russia.

"I think the players know what is at stake here. The players always know what the task ahead is all about despite winning our opening games. We want to go to the World Cup. We have to win games and make sure we are focused all the time and also play well. The truth is you can't play well in every game; a win is a win.

We just want to win on Friday, it doesn't matter how well we play. I am sure the players all know that is the important thing and I always speak to some of them and let them know how important it is to play for this country and how important it is to go to the World Cup and the Nations Cup. So on Friday we can hopefully get a win and move close to qualifying for the World Cup," Mikel said.

Mikel has made 78 appearances for Nigeria and is in line for 80 if he plays in both meetings against Cameroon on Friday and Monday.

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