Why I shut the door on Mikel ―Rohr

The omission of the Super Eagles’ captain, John Obi Mikel from the squad named for the two upcoming games next month is at the instance of the player himself, and will continue until he makes the decision to return, according to coach Gernot Rohr.

Mikel, who last played international football against Argentina at the last World Cup in Russia, will not be part of the team when Nigeria face South Africa on November 17 in Johannesburg in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier as well as a friendly against Uganda three days later in Nigeria.

“Mikel told me that he will tell me when he will be ready to come back. He didn’t tell me yet. So I wait,” the German told KweséESPN exclusively.

Despite that, the coach hopes to have the Tianjin TEDA of China player back in time to take part at the tournament proper: “I hope that we can go with him to AFCON and win it for him.”

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As for Ogenyi Onazi, Rohr pointed to medical reasons, shutting down suggestions of a rift with one of his senior players: “Onazi had a problem with injury. He left Uyo before the match against Libya [earlier this month].

“I have to be aware of the health of our players. We didn’t want to do injections on Achilles tendons before the games.”

With Wilfred Ndidi suspended after an accumulation of yellow cards, the Super Eagles look short of midfield options.

But Rohr insists that he has more than enough cover: “We have four defensive midfielders. [Oghenekaro] Etebo, Mikel Agu, John Ogu and Semi Ajayi.”