Oliseh recalls Mikel for Tanzania

Posted by admin Headlines, Soccer, Sports Wednesday, July 22nd, 2015

Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi will be recalled by new Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh for next month’s AFCON qualifier in Tanzania and played as a defensive midfielder, AfricanFootball.com has exclusively learnt.

Mikel last played for the Super Eagles in November 2014 when Nigeria drew 2-2 with South Africa in a 2015 AFCON qualifier in Uyo.

“Mikel still remains one of Nigeria’s top stars in Europe even he is no longer playing regularly for Chelsea these days and that is why he will be part of Oliseh’s immediate plans, beginning with the AFCON qualifier in Tanzania next month,” a top official informed AfricanFootball.com

“But instead of giving him a free role as he has been given in the Eagles in the past, he will play as a defensive midfielder, like he does for his club.”

The Super Eagles are second behind Egypt in the qualifying group for the 2017 AFCON in Gabon after they beat Chad 2-0 in Kaduna in June.

Meanwhile, AfricanFootball.com has specially gathered that foreign-based professionals will join the rest of the Super Eagles squad directly in Tanzania ahead next month’s AFCON qualifier.

Nigeria are away to Tanzania in the weekend of September 4-6 in continuation of the qualifying tournament for the 2017 AFCON in Gabon.

They are second in their qualifying group behind Egypt after they beat Chad 2-0 at home and the Pharaohs defeated Tanzania 3-0 last month on the opening day of the qualifiers.

A top official told AfricanFootball.com that such an arrangement will ensure new coach Sunday Oliseh gets more time to work with the whole squad before his first match.

“The team could save as much as two days’ training if the pros just join the squad of home-based players in Tanzania straight from their various bases,” disclosed the official.

“Oliseh wants to have as much time as he could get with the players before the match against Tanzania.”

Oliseh has compiled a list of 70 players who will be available for selection and this list has been further broken down into various categories including those who will get immediate invitation and those who will be considered later on.

-Sunwp_posts