Super Eagles Captain John Obi Mikel is back in training and is in contention for a place in the starting line up for Nigeria Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations clash with South Africa at Cairo Stadium.
The 32 year old inspirational midfielder missed his country‘s round of 16 win over holders Cameroon last Saturday due to knee injurywhich has threatened to keep him out of the tournament.
The player took part in light training with the rest of squad on Monday ahead of the crunch tie with the Bafana Bafana after he limping off in Nigeria’s 2-0 defeat to Madagascar.
However, it’s unlikely that team’s technical crew led by Gernot Rohrwill hand him a starting shirt against the South Africans , which means he will have to settle for a place on the bench.
Mikel has played just two of the four Super Eagles matches in the ongoing tournament and failed to complete 90 minutes on both occasions.
Bafana Bafana of South Africa head coach, Stuart Baxter has revealed that his team will only respect and not afraid of the Super Eagles in Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final tie in Cairo.
The experience tactician who masterminds the exit of hosts Egypt from the tournament also dismissed reports that he has a special plan to man mark Eagle’s influential duo of Alex Iwobi and Odion Ighalo, the same way he stopped Mohammed Salah of Egypt.
Baxter added that he will set up a system which will make it difficult for Nigeria to play their game.
“We will respect Nigeria but we are not afraid of them,” Baxter told journalists.
“We don’t make individual plans for players. We will try and make it difficult for them to play. We will try to cut football supply to the strikers too.
“We need to remain very humble. If you look back not so long time ago, we won’t be overconfidence against Nigeria. Nigeria is still one of the powerhouses on the continent.
“They are doing very well. We shouldn’t be under any illusion that Nigeria is one of the best team in Africa with a very good squad team.“
“It will be a massively difficult game for us. we must be mentally ready for the game.“
Baxter’s men remained unbeaten against Nigeria in the last two outings , however, the English man is optimistic, that his will give their all to make the situation unchanged and earn another high profile victory over the three time African Cup of Nations champions.
“The last time we played against Nigeria, we had six of our regular players missing in the 1-1 game. When we went to play against Nigeria in 2017, they had the strongest players available as at the time.
“I also went with the strongest players available too. I don’t think he went into that game to lose. He wanted to beat us because it was the first game of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. I don’t get involved in this mind game.
“We will do everything to win. This is not about a personal battle between Baxter and Nigeria it is between South Africa versus Nigeria. Past results won’t play any part in the quarter-final game.”he said.
Super Eagles boss , Gernot Rohr has revealed that his side are focused on reaching the next stage of the African Cup of Nations at the expense of their Wednesday‘s opponents Bafana Bafana of South Africa.
Nigeria and South Africa met during the tournament‘s qualifiers, with the Bafana Bafana running away with their first win in Nigeria, before drawing the reversed fixture at home.
Rohr who had suffered just two losses in competitive games toAfrican oppositions since arriving Nigeria, said the match is an opportunity for his team to move closer to their dream of lifting the competition.
“We are here to win. It is not going to be an easy match, but surely if you have to win the Africa Cup, you will not expect to be faced with easy matches at this stage.“
Rohr added that, the game it’s about opportunity to reach the semi-final for his side and not avenging the defeat the team suffered in the hands of the South Africans during the qualifications series.
“We know ourselves from the qualifying campaign and it will be no holds –barred on Wednesday. It is not a matter of revenge; it is about reaching the semi finals.” he told the media.
Super Eagles hit man Odion Ighalo says his priority is help Nigeria win fourth African Cup of Nations title and stressed that he’s not hunting for personal glory.
Ighalo has netted on three occasions , same as Algeria‘s AdamOunas and Sadio Mane of Senegal , with the three players still very much in the tournament.
Speaking ahead of the Super Eagles quater final clash with South Africa billed for Cairo international stadium, the forward who scored seven goals to finish as the top scorer during the qualifierssaid fourth Afcon title for Nigeria is far more important than individual glory.
“Yeah, it will be nice to win it but I will put more priority on winning the AFCON title than Golden boot award. If I do not win the Golden Boot award and we win the trophy, I will be very happy because we are here to do that. I am a striker and I want to score goals but if the goals do not come and we are winning, our matches I would be more satisfied,” Ighalo said.
Ighalo has endured a difficult time with Nigeria football fans following his below per performance during the world cup in 2018, with many still in doubt of the Chinese base talent to lead the Eagles attack.
However, Ighalo who is aware of the constant criticisms , says he’s not bordered by the sticks he gets whenever he failed to deliver and believe he is professional enough to deal with it.
“I do not really pay attention to critics because I am a professional and people are bound to criticize me. I think everybody here has been criticized one way or the other but you don’t let that get to you.
”I just do my job as long as my coach is satisfied with my job and everything I give in the field of play. I do not really pay attention to what people say outside there, I just do my job and give my best, sometimes it might not be enough but I am satisfied and I will always give my best,” Ighalo added.
