Super Eagles Captain Mikel not ready to return to team - Gernot Rohr

John Mikel Obi (middle) takes a shot with teammates - Victor Moses (first left, retired from international football), Alex Iwobi (second left), Odion Ighalo (second right) and Kelechi Iheanacho (first right) - Getty

Super Eagles Head Coach Gernot Rohr has disclosed that, John Mikel Obi, who is captain of the Super Eagles is not yet ready to return to the National Team despite playing constantly for Championship side Middlesbrough.


Mikel is yet to feature for the Super Eagles since the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia which has led to speculations that he may have ended his career at the international level.

Rohr also revealed that the former Chelsea and Tianjin TEDA star is still carrying a little injury on his knee and will only return when he is fully fit and well motivated to lead the team.

During his pre-match conference ahead of the 2019 AFCON qualifier against Seychelles in Asaba, Rohr said: “Obi Mikel is playing well at Middlesbrough and he is doing well now, but there is still a little problem with his knee and it is not the moment for him to come back to the team in these conditions.”

“There are so many games for him to play for Middlesbrough. They are fighting for a promotional playoff spot. And he told me it’s not the right time to return. But if Obi Mikel is very fit and has the motivation, if he shows that he is better than the other people we have, the door is open

“I’m not like Joachim Low (the German coach) who announced that three players are out of the German national team because you never know what might happen. There could be injury or loss of form.

“We are watching what is happening and we hope he (Mikel) can come back one day because we need experience. We now have more young players than the last list.”

As regards the Super Eagles clinching the trophy at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, Rohr says his side will remain humble as there are other teams who are top contenders for the title.

However, Retired Nigerian footballer Mutiu Adepoju believes Nigeria should be top contender for the tournament title.

“To declare that we will win the AFCON is stupid. We have to work, we have young players.”