Super Eagles technical adviser, Gernot Rohr, has responded to rumors that skipper Mikel Obi will be making an early exit from the national team.
The German coach assured that though Mikel opted out of Nigeria’s 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifier game against Seychelles, this was not an indication that the seasoned midfielder was pulling out of the team.
Rohr, went on to state that he expects Mikel to be fit enough for the Super Eagles’ next game against Libya next month, in their 2019 AFCON qualifier encounter.
“By the 10th of October, we will recover our injured players like (William) Ekong, like Ola Aina, Obi Mikel will be fit also.”
– Rohr
mikel on messi
Meanwhile, Mikel has bemoaned FIFA’s exclusion of Barcelona’s top gun Lionel Messi from the 2018 FIFA World Best Player award, stating that the Argentine striker is the greatest player he has ever faced.
“There is no controversy. Lionel Messi is simply the greatest footballer to have ever played football. Across many competitions, I have been on the same pitch with him. I therefore know what I am saying.”
– Mikel (The Nation)