Chris Maduewesi
Member
Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has backed under-fire player John Obi Mikel,adding that it is his decision whether he plays or not.
Mikel has been getting scathing criticisms for his displays in a Nigerian jersey,with his displays in the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifiers coming to the fore.
With Mikel struggling for game-time at Chelsea,the 27-year has not always been in the best form coming to play for the Super Eagles.
But Keshi noted that his bench with the Blues will not be a factor if Mikel plays or not.
“Just because he is not playing in his team (Chelsea), that does not mean I cannot use him in my team, that’s the coaches’ choice,” Keshi said after Wednesday night’s 0-0 draw with Bafana Bafana in Cape Town.
“But in my team, if I think that he is good shape, with the wealth of experience he has, all his years in the Champions League, I think he’s very important for us in the team, and we just have to make the best of the situation.”
Mikel has been getting scathing criticisms for his displays in a Nigerian jersey,with his displays in the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifiers coming to the fore.
With Mikel struggling for game-time at Chelsea,the 27-year has not always been in the best form coming to play for the Super Eagles.
But Keshi noted that his bench with the Blues will not be a factor if Mikel plays or not.
“Just because he is not playing in his team (Chelsea), that does not mean I cannot use him in my team, that’s the coaches’ choice,” Keshi said after Wednesday night’s 0-0 draw with Bafana Bafana in Cape Town.
“But in my team, if I think that he is good shape, with the wealth of experience he has, all his years in the Champions League, I think he’s very important for us in the team, and we just have to make the best of the situation.”
