We play football to make money – Daniel Amokachi backs Nigerians moving to China‎

Former Super Eagles assistant coach, Daniel Amokachi, has backed Nigerian players who are signing for clubs in the Chinese Super League.

Recently, several African footballers have moved to the Far East, including John Mikel Obi, Odion Ighalo and Brown Ideye.

“We play football because we want to make a living,” Amokachi told BBC Sport.

“We don’t have that platform whereby everything has already been set for us from the day we were born – like Europeans. We don’t live on welfare.”

Speaking specifically about Mikel Obi who signed for Tianjin TEDA, Amokachi pointed out that the Eagles captain is yet to turn 30, but has won the European Champions League, two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the Europa League during his decade-long spell with Chelsea.

“Mikel played for a top team in Europe and won practically everything that he needs to win as a footballer,” Amokachi, who now manages JS Hercules in Finland, added.

“What’s left for him is to make a lot of zeros to secure his future and that of his kids and family back home.”