Ex-Chelsea Star Mikel Assists Ghanaian Messi To Score Two Goals In Tianjin Derby

Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel bagged two assists to help Tianjin Teda beat Tianjin Quanjian 3-2 on game week three in the Chinese Super League on Sunday, March 18.

The former Chelsea midfielder started and played the entirety of the contest staged at Tianjin Tuanbo Soccer Stadium (Tianjin).

In the 16th minute, Mikel sent a long pass from the center circle to Frank Acheampong, who used his speed to overpower Tianjin Quanjian's Wang Jie before he slotted home with his left foot.

Tianjin Quanjian were leading 2-1 after 77 minutes courtesy of goals from Ex-Chelsea star Alexandre Pato and Anthony Modeste.

'Ghanaian Messi' Acheampong leveled the scoreline with a powerful shot from inside the box off an assist from Mikel in the 84th minute, before grabbing his hat-trick in the 90th minute.

After the first three matches in the Super League, Mikel's Tianjin Teda occupy the seventh position in the standings with four points accumulated.

The central midfielder, who wore the captain's armband against Tianjin Quanjian, is expected to join the Super Eagles at their get-together in Poland early this week.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel