Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr has hinted that Chinese-based stars Odion Ighalo and John Obi Mikel will be rested for an inconsequential World Cup qualifier against Algeria next month.

The German tactician explained that the experienced duo will be omitted from the roster because of the flight distance from China to Africa.

''For the China players, it would be difficult for them to make the game because they would be having their matches in the weekend before the game and as such it would be difficult for them to make it to Africa within the short time available,'' Rohr told scorenigeria.com.ng.

Nigeria are already through to next summer's football festival thanks to their 1-0 win over Zambia last weekend, a win that gave them an unassailable lead in Group B of the qualifiers with a game to spare.

Whilst captain Obi Mikel featured in all the five matches in the third qualifying round, ex-Watford striker Odion Ighalo started the last three games and was a non-playing substitute against Algeria last November.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel