Mikel says his family was threatened

LONDON, Feb 10 (Reuters) Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel defied manager Jose Mourinho to play for Nigeria this week because of death threats against his family, British media reported today.

The 19-year-old played the full 90 minutes of Nigeria's 4-1 friendly defeat by Ghana in London on Tuesday despite Mourinho wanting him to rest a strained thigh.

''Nigeria's fans were threatening my family. They believe I have started picking the games I play for my country. People are still angry that I didn't play in Lesotho for the African Nations qualifier last October,'' newspapers quoted him as saying.

Mikel said Mourinho was angry with him for playing on Tuesday. ''I hope I can explain things to him and he understands,'' he said.

REUTERS SAM VC1947