Despite Mikel Obi's lack of game time at his club, Chelsea FC, national coach Stephen Keshi has spoken out to say he can't do without the midfielder.
Mikel has been far from impressive during Nigeria's first two AFCON qualifying games which they managed to pick up a single point but Keshi still sees him as the back bone of his Super Eagles team which are struggling to fly.
He was particularly outplayed by 24-year-old Andile Jali, who plies his trade in Belgium, during Nigeria's qualifying match against South Africa which ended in a draw.
Mikel has managed only 23 minutes of game time this season for his English club, Chelsea, as he has fallen down the pecking order following the arrivals of Nemanja Matic, who arrived from Benfica and Cesc Fabregas who recently joined from FC Barcelona of Spain.
Keshi, who cited Mikel's Champions League experience as a major factor why he can't do without the midfielder said:
“Just because he is not playing in his team (Chelsea), that does not mean I cannot use him in my team, that’s the coaches’ choice,” Keshi said after Wednesday night’s 0-0 draw with Bafana Bafana in Cape Town.
“But in my team, if I think that he is good shape, with the wealth of experience he has, all his years in the Champions League, I think he’s very important for us in the team, and we just have to make the best of the situation.”
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