Mikel Opts out Of Mexico Friendly

Mikel Opts out Of Mexico Friendly

Posted: May 21, 2013

Chelsea's Nigeria midfielder John Mikel Obi is a major doubt for the Super Eagles' crucial World Cup qualifier against Kenya on the 5th of June, a top NFF source has revealed to Completesportsnigeria.com.

The midfielder currently in America with Chelsea for their Wednesday's friendly match with Manchester City at the Busch Stadium has contacted Stephen Keshi, and asked to be excused from the Eagles' international friendly against Mexico on the 31st of May at the Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas, USA.

The Europa League Cup winner with Chelsea is expected back in London, to apply for a Brazilian visa ahead of the Confederations Cup in June but the source refused to divulge when he will join the Eagles camp in Germany ahead of the qualifiers against Kenya and Namibia in June.

"Mikel has said he will prefer to be left out of the friendly game against Mexico as he wants to just take a rest after a long season with Chelsea and also take care of personal matters at the same time," the source begins.

The the source adds: "Talks about him demanding a private jet to come and play the Kenyan game is all false.

"He will return to London on Sunday with Chelsea and will apply for an entry visa into Brazil for the Confederations Cup."

Mikel's teammate, Victor Moses, and the duo of Kalu Uche and Gabriel Reuben have earlier opted out of the Nigeria squad ahead of the international friendly match with Mexico, citing injury concerns. ------------------------ Complete Sports