Ex-Flying Eagles Star Aranka Surprised At Mikel's Exclusion For RSA Clash; Urges Nwakali, Others To Wait For Super Eagles Time

Former Nigeria U20 international John Aranka has urged Nigeria's emerging football stars to be patient as they hope to break into the Super Eagles fold.

Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr recently released his squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa with some players including captain John Mikel Obi expected to have made the cut missing from the list.

Aranka who was part of Nigeria's U-20 side at the 1999 FIFA U-20 World Cup which Nigeria hosted spoke to allnigeriasoccer.com on the subject of players' invitation to the national team.

"I think the list is not bad. I am okay with the invited players for South Africa. Everybody can not be invited at the same time," the former Nigeria defender stated.

"So many players have been given the opportunities  before, some impressed and some flopped, and I know more players will also be given more opportunities in the coming months.

"What matters is that whenever players especially the younger ones get opportunities to impress the coaches, they must seize it," Aranka stressed.

Reacting on the omission of the team captain John Mikel Obi  for the November 17 clash, Aranka admits he was surprised but adds that the team have done well without the influential midfielder.
 
"Yes (I was surprised) because the captain, Mikel is out for the game in South Africa which we didn't all expect given that he is back fit and even scored for his club in their (Tianjin Teda FC of China) last league game.

"But the team are still winning, so I don't see any other surprise. The other younger players like the Nwakali brothers; Kelechi and Chidiebere, Stephen Odey etc who were not considered for this match must continue working hard at their clubs, their time will come in the national team," Aranka concluded.

Izuchukwu Okosi