Nigerian fans can rest easy as Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has denied reports that he is injured, saying he is ready for Sunday’s Russia 2018 World Cup qualification tie against Zambia’s Chipolopolo.
Mikel, 29, didn’t feature in Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat of Hull in the Premier League Saturday after manager Antonio Conte told a press conference that the midfielder had “a small muscular problem”.
“Conte rules John Terry out of tomorrow’s game. Mikel is also out with a small muscular problem,” Chelsea wrote on their Twitter handle Friday.
Mikel has yet to play for the Blues this season after leading Nigeria’s Dream Team to bronze at the Rio Olympic Games, but the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed on Sunday the captain will be ready for the clash with Zambia.
“I don’t know where the story about my being injured came from. I have no injury. All the other players and myself are fit and ready and we are determined to start the World Cup race on a winning note,” Spokesman for the NFF Ademola Olajire quoted Mikel as telling the Eagles’ Administrator Enebi Achor on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr and his assistant Jean Luc Royer and video analyst Nabil Trabelsi arrived in Abuja on Sunday ahead of the team’s preparations for the World Cup qualifier.
Camp opens Monday with training sessions scheduled for morning and evening each day before the team’s departure to Ndola on Friday.
The German coach invited 23 players for the crucial tie, including Golden Boy nominees Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi.
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