MIKEL OUT FOR A WEEK AFTER INJURY

Mikel is out of at least Nigeria's round of 16 game

Nigeria captain John Mikel Obi is likely to miss Nigeria's round of 16 game at the Africa Cup of Nations after suffering a knee injury in Sunday\s shock loss to Madagascar.

The midfielder missed recovery training on Monday morning with a swelling in the knee and is now expected to be out for at least a week

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"He has hematoma in the knee," Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr said. "We don't know how soon he can again play but we wait for the medical team."

Mikel on Sunday night signed a two year deal to join Turkish club Trabzonspor with an option for a third year. His new employers will be looking on with some concern.

MIKEL, CHUKWUEZE EXPECTED IN NIGERIA'S PROVISIONAL AFCON SQUAD

Samuel Chukwueze expected to be recalled to Nigeria squad ahead of Afcon 

Nigeria’s provisional 25-man squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations will be announced over the next few days and coach Gernot Rohr says there will be a return for captain John Mikel Obi.

Also expected to be named in the squad is youngster Samuel Chukwueze, who was left out of the Flying Eagles squad to the FIFA Under 20 World Cup starting next week in Poland.

Mikel, 32, has not played for Nigeria since the 2018 World Cup in Russia but said via Ayo Olu Ibidapo that he would be in Egypt

“We had a very good meeting with Obi Mikel,” Rohr said. “Our list will be made and Chukwueze will be in our group of 25 players preparing for the AFCON.”

It will be a return to the senior squad for the Villareal teenager, who was left out of the squad for the last two games in March to help the under 23s overturn a two-goal deficit over Libya in the second round of Olympic qualifiers.

Nigeria will play Zimbabwe on June 8 in the first of their preparatory games for the Nations Cup.

Mikel wants control against Egypt

 

Midfielder John Mikel Obi says the Super Eagles must control the game in order to win against Egypt on Friday.

Both countries meet in the first of two back to back games in the race to the 2017 African Nations Cup

"Egypt are a very good team and they quick and play very good football," said the Chelsea midfielder. "We have to be very tactical and make sure we control the game at every point."

On a personal note, the 28 year old says he is ready to do his bit

"I am always ready. It's the same as every other game I have played for this country. I always want to do my best."

Mikel admits that smouldering temperatures, which are expected to be in the mid 30s, would prove challenging

"It's difficult because the weather is always very hot. In Europe you can play for 120 minutes without feeling it. But here after 30 minutes, it feels like you've been playing for 2 hours.

"But it's our job, so we have to make sure we control the game. The more control we have, the less we have to run and the more we can have a chance to win this game."

Kickoff is at 4pm on Friday. Egypt lead the group on 6 points, two more than second-placed Nigeria.

Only the group winners qualify automatically for the tournament.