Chelsea 'punishing' Mikel Over Olympics - Nigeria Coach
Zeeshan Mehtab Published November 11, 2016 | 03:20 PM
ABUJA, , (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Nov, 2016 ) - Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr claims Mikel Obi is being "punished" by Premier League club Chelsea for playing at the Rio Olympics. Mikel, 29, missed most of Chelsea pre-season as he helped his country win a bronze medal at the football event of the Summer Olympic Games.
He has yet to play for his London club this season even after he rejoined them in August. Rohr was recently on a working visit to England and met with Chelsea officials. "There is a reason why Mikel is not playing for Chelsea right now and that reason is because he played for Nigeria at the Olympics," Rohr said.
"I cannot punish a player who loves his country and shows that he loves the green jersey.
"I spoke about this with Mikel and the club's technical director (Michael Emenalo). Mikel is training very well and he plays games in training with the big players at Chelsea." Despite his lack of games for Chelsea, Rohr said Mikel will start a decisive World Cup qualifier against Algeria in the southern Nigeria town of Uyo on Saturday.
"He is here with us and he is fit and I hope he can play for 90 minutes against Algeria but if it is not possible, we shall see," said Rohr. "He is an influential player and I expect him to motivate others from the opening minute, but what I cannot tell you is if he has the strength to play full time."
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Body found near Hassanabdal
Strengthening of institutions among top priorities of govt: Aleem Khan
Govt to eliminate curse of copy culture from Sindh forever: Minister
England rugby star Billy Vunipola convicted of assault in Mallorca
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Boy suffers burns while extinguishing fire in wheat field
Senate adopts Special Committee's 4 recommendations about Money Bill
Alcaraz passes 'test of fire', Sabalenka survives in Madrid Open
ATC awards punishment for terror accused with 14 year imprisonment
Austrian ambassador calls on Shafay Hussain
US stocks rise on tech outlook as yen rebounds
Forty-day ceasefire offered to Hamas: UK foreign secretary
More Stories From Sports
-
England rugby star Billy Vunipola convicted of assault in Mallorca
31 minutes ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
31 minutes ago -
Alcaraz passes 'test of fire', Sabalenka survives in Madrid Open
34 minutes ago -
Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar win 6th round matches of National Women’s One-Day Tournament
1 hour ago -
MEPCO, LESCO win Kabaddi matches
1 hour ago -
A Moroccan club jersey takes market by storm after diplomatic dispute
2 hours ago
-
University of Central Punjab dominates Men's Weightlifting Competition
2 hours ago -
Top Pak athletes to feature in 8th Jiu-Jitsu Asian Championship
3 hours ago -
Naz Club Khalabat clinches trophy in District Volleyball Championship 2024
5 hours ago -
Table Tennis League kicks off
5 hours ago -
Pakistan's Ashab wins Rochester Proam Squash
6 hours ago -
Chief Minister KP to open Inter-Madrasa, Special Games on Tuesday
7 hours ago