Mikel, Now Source Of Worry For S’Eagles

The fitness of captain John Obi Mikel ahead of the resumption of qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in just over a month’s time has become a major source of worry for Nigeria and the handlers of the super eagles..
Mikel was not included in Tianjin Teda’s squad for their Chinese Super League clash against Dalian Yifang this past weekend due to injury.
The Super Eagles skipper sustained the injury in his first game after the World Cup break, against Chongqing Dang on July 21, in which he was in action for 90 minutes.
Mikel did not train with his Tianjin Teda teammates all through last week, reportedly because his knees were swollen.
The former Chelsea player started all three of Nigeria’s group stage matches at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Nigeria will hope to have the veteran midfielder available for selection, with Mikel having missed the surprise loss at home to South Africa in the opening Group E qualifier last June.
Gernot Rohr’s side will resume their campaign with a match away to the Seychelles on September 7, while the other Group E match sees South Africa host Libya.
The top two teams from each group qualify for the finals in Cameroon, which will be held from 7 to 30 June, 2019.