Seychelles, Egypt Battles: Yobo Faults Mikel’s Decision Not to Play in Asaba

Jseph Yobo has faulted the claim in some quarters that Mikel Obi turned down the invitation for the Seychelles Africa Cup of Nation’s clash and the international friendly against Egypt.

According to the former Super Eagles skipper on Monday in a live sport show, in his reaction to the claim said, “Mikel is indebted to the national team. He owes it to be patriotic if the claim happens to be true.”

Yobo who was in the crew of the sport analysts added that, “If Mikel turned down the invitation because the matches will be played in Asaba, (Stephen Keshi Stadium)and because of the state of the pitch, if I were in his shoes, I will have to come down and make the Eagles German manager understand reasons why the players should not be exposed to a bad pitch.”

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Mikel last played for the national team in 2018 at the FIFA World Cup in Russia and has since been busy with club schedules which has since seen him return to the English club Middlesbrough from Tianjin TEDA Football Club early this year.

The Eagles on Monday officially opened its camp in Asaba in preparation for the two matches and the camp is expected to swell up with home and foreign based players invited by the Eagles technical handler, Gernor Rohr.

The game against Egypt is expected to take place on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, four days after the Super Eagles take on Seychelles at the same venue.

The Super Eagles last faced the Pharoahs in a 2017 AFCON qualifier and will hope to avenge their defeat which prevented the country from participating at the tournament.

Nigeria and Egypt have faced off 18 times with five draws, seven wins for the Super Eagles and five wins or the Pharaohs. Nigeria has already qualified for the 2019 Nations Cup scheduled to start in June and to be hosted in Egypt.