18th March, 2011
Coach Samson Siasia says Chelsea’s John Mikel Obi will play in an advanced midfield position for Nigeria during the 2012 Nations Cup qualifier against Ethiopia in Abuja next week.
The Chelsea midfielder played as a teenager under Siasia in an attacking midfield role as Nigeria’s Under-20s reached the Final of the 2005 World Youth Championship.
Upon joining Chelsea in a fractious transfer involving Manchester United and Lyn Oslo, Mikel was shunted to defensive midfield by Jose Mourinho.
“We’ll keep Mikel where he is right now. He’s doing well there, why confuse him? The boy has a lot in his head already. All we have to do is get someone in front of him, Siasia said.
Meanwhile, Birmingham City striker Obafemi Martins and majority of Super Eagles stars invited for next week’s 2012 Nations Cup qualifier against Ethiopia would jet in on Monday.
MTNFootball.com reports that Israeli-based goalkeepers Vincent Enyeama and Dele Aiyenugba will arrive same day.