The Technical Adviser of Nigeria national men’s football team, Gernot Rohr, has revealed that Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, was injured in Saturday’s game against Tanzania.
Mikel was surprisingly taken off early in the second half with the game still in a stalemate.
“Mikel asked to be replaced because he was injured and I took the precaution to do so because I did not want to hurt the club and the player,” Rohr confirmed after the game.
The Chelsea midfielder went close to scoring in Uyo on a number of occasions but was denied by Tanzania goalkeeper, Aishi Manula.
Mikel, 29, has been in inspired form for Nigeria lately, and impressed throughout for the Nigerian U23 side as they won the Bronze medal at the recently ended Olympic Games in Brazil.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles went on to score the winner in the 78th minute after Mikel had left the pitch, with Manchester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho scoring a wonder-goal to start Rohr’s reign with a victory.
The nature of Mikel’s injury was not disclosed.
