AFCON Qualifier: Rohr Will Hit The Panic Button As Influential Skipper Mikel Is Still Listed As Out

Published: August 05, 2018

Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr is certain to hit the panic button as his influential skipper John Obi Mikel is battling to be fit ahead of a crucial 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Seychelles in a month's time.

For the third game in a row, the defensive midfielder has been omitted from Tianjin Teda 18 for their Chinese Super League clash against Hebei CFFC.

However, the positive news is that Mikel is making good progress in his recovery from a knee complaint which saw him miss games against Dalian Yifang (July 28) and Guangzhou Evergrande (August 2).

Tianjin Teda have five more matches to contest before another international break and it remains to be seen what kind of physical state Mikel is in when he reports for Super Eagles duty.

The former Chelsea star was suspended for Tianjin Teda's first game after the World Cup break, before picking an injury against Chongqing Dangdai Lifan on July 21, a game in which he went the distance.

Changchun Yatai's Odion Ighalo has no such injury worries ahead of the AFCON qualifier vs Seychelles, he netted his fifth goal in five matches on Saturday.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel