Former Super Eagles assistant coach, Fatai Folorunsho Amoo has downplayed rising worries over the non-inclusion of China-based midfielder, John Mikel Obi in the Nigerian squad list to battle Libya next month.
Mikel’s name is conspicuously missing in a list of 24 players invited by Eagles’ coach, Gernot Rohr for the double-fixture Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Libya, but Amoo says other players should rise to the challenge.
Though observers would recall that the Eagles lost their opening match of the AFCON 2019 qualifiers at home against South Africa in Mikel’s absence, Amoo insists it is an opportunity for another player to make a mark in the skipper’s absence.
Amoo, who was part of the Eagles’ technical crew to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, added on a radio sports programme on Tuesday morning that Rohr’s decision regarding Mikel should be respected.
The ex-international, who was fondly called ‘Arsenal’ during his heyday, noted that the Eagles beat Seychelles 3-0 during their last AFCON 2019 qualifier, even without Mikel in the squad, and believes they will rise to the challenge against Libya as well on October 13 in Uyo.
Amoo opined: “The coach should be respected for his decisions. The coach knows what he wants and I am sure he has his reasons for leaving Mikel out of this match.
“It is a chance for another player to take the opportunity to play in that role and make a mark for himself.
“It is just up to all the players to rise up to the challenge and play to the best of their abilities, and I am sure they will get a good result against Libya.”
