Mikel was injured reveals Eagles coach Rohr

by BackPageTXT

Saturday Sep 03, 2016. 23:02

Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has revealed he pulled out skipper Mikel Obi in Saturday’s AFCON qualifier against Tanzania after the midfielder suffered an injury.

Chelsea star Mikel was replaced by Belgium-based Wilfred Ndidi in the 63^rd minute.

“Mikel asked to be replaced because he was injured and I took the precaution to do so because I did not want to hurt the club and the player,” Rohr said.

The coach did not elaborate on the nature or severity of the injury.

Mikel played a more attacking role on Saturday than his usual holding midfield position at his London club.

He was denied a goal from point-blank range after 59 minutes by the impressive Tanzania goalkeeper Aishi Manula.

He also prompted the Eagles first clear-cut chance in the 12^th minute when his combination with Ahmed Musa let in the Leicester City forward, who failed to finish off right inside the opposing box.