Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, has opted out of the team’s 2018 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Seychelles next month in Victoria.
While speaking to Kwese Sports on Thursday, Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, disclosed that the national football team captain, John Obi Mikel, will miss the African Cup of Nations qualifier against Seychelles.
Rohr said the midfielder called him to withdraw from possible selection because he just recently returned from injury and would need to concentrate on improving his fitness.
“We spoke together. He is just coming back from injury and he needs to push his club commitments to get back in shape. After injury, he needs time to get fit again,” said the 65-year-old German coach who had previously managed Gabon, Niger and Burkina Faso.
Mikel’s absence will be another blow to the team’s quest of qualifying for Cameroon 2019 AFCON following the decision of another key member of the team, Victor Moses to retire from international football.
Nigeria, on Friday, will name the squad to face Seychelles on September 8 towards qualification for the 2019 AFCON tournament which will be hosted by Cameroon.
The Super Eagles lost the opening game of Group E to South Africa at the Akwa Ibom Stadium, Uyo, in June 2017. Libya are the other country in the group.
Source: News Agencies
