Siasia: Mikel unsure for Rio, Watford stop Ighalo

Coach Samson Siasia discussing with Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi

Coach Samson Siasia has admitted he is not certain Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi will feature at the Rio Olympics, just as Premier League club Watford have refused to release Odion Ighalo for the tournament.
Both players have been lined up as over-aged players for the summer games.



However, Siasia has now disclosed he is no longer certain of Mikel will be available for Rio 2016 Olympic Games as he has yet to receive Chelsea’s nod to release the star midfielder, while Watford have said Ighalo will not be released.
“I’m not sure of Mikel because Chelsea have not got back to us on his availability, while Watford said they won’t release Ighalo,” he said.
“It’s a big disappointment.”
Already, Manchester City starlet Kelechi Iheanacho has also opted to stay put at his club rather than be in Brazil for the Olympics.
Siasia expressed confidence that the likes of Umar Aminu (Turkey), Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon (Belgium), Kenneth Omeruo (England) and Shehu Abdullahi (Portugal) will be available for the competition reserved for players Under 23 years with three over-aged players also allowed.
In 2008, Mikel was dropped from the Nigerian squad for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, having been penciled down earlier by Saisia, who also led the Nigerian team to that year’s event.
The Chelsea midfielder was not considered for the final list for his refusal to take part in qualifying fixtures.
Mikel later admitted that he was disappointed to miss out, but will now focus all of his attention on helping his club side to European glory.
“I have not heard from Samson Siasia, the coach, and I have heard that he has not included me in the squad. I don’t agree with that,” he said in an interview.
“However my mind is set on winning the Champions League with Chelsea, it is the biggest game in the history of the club and I want to be part of that.”
Despite being rejected by his country on that occasion Mikel was still keen to point out that he has no intention of making himself unavailable for selection in the future.