3rd January, 2013
A knee complaint by Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel which has seen him shut out of the Blues line-up in their last two games in the English Premier League, may deny him the Africa Cup of Nations, reports from England suggest.
Mikel was not listed for the games against Everton and the shock loss at home to QPR and it is believed that he would have to sit out the first two games against Burkina Faso and defending champions Zambia if he is still considered for a place in Nigeria’s 23-man Nations Cup squad.
Also threatened by injury is Turkey-based Uche Kalu, who cupped an injury in the run to yesterday’s friendly with a Catalonia selected side.
The absence of the two players means Coach Stephen Keshi will have fewer options in the midfield.