Super Eagles midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo says the leadership qualities of ex-internationals, Mikel Obi and Odion Ighalo would be missed in the dressing room.

Both players called time on their international career after featuring at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Mikel, 32, was the first to bow out while the 2019 Afcon topscorer also followed suit.

However, Etebo who made his Eagles debut in an international friendly against Jordan in 2013, believes the pair have done enough for the national team, insisting it was time for them to move on.

“They are leaders who we are going to miss in the dressing room,”

“Mikel was a leader; I recall how he helped us during the Olympics when we had issues during our preparations for the Games. Not because I played with him but for the impact he had on me as a player.”

“They helped the team make vital decisions during tough times and I guess it was just time for them to move on.

“Ighalo on his part is a goal poacher that we also miss but thank God that we have another goal poacher in [Victor] Osimhen, but we have to be patient with him to settle in well into that role.”

Meanwhile, the team would continue life without the retired players when the coronavirus pandemic comes to an end as they take on Sierra Leone in 2021 AFCON qualifiers.