Tianjin Teda of China midfielder, John Mikel Obi will likely line out as Super Eagles skipper against Argentina on Tuesday with a protective cast round his wrist, during to an injury he got in action against Iceland on Friday.
Mikel was back in top form and with a hugely inspirational role as holding midfielder for the Eagles, as the team romped to a stunning 2-0 win, but may be debarred from getting a repeat with discomfort from the hand injury he picked up late in that game.
Nonetheless, Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has given his verdict that Mikel would be patched up for the decisive battle against Argentina.
Nigeria only needed a draw against Argentina and the other game between Croatia and Iceland should end in favour of Croatia a win or a draw for the Blazers will earn Super Eagles a qualification.
A high goal margin win against Croatia might deny Super Eagles the qualification to the second round, and Rohr is not ready to take a gamble without his captain.
Subsequently, Rohr is of the view that Mikel will play against the Albiceleste on Tuesday evening despite the midfielder’s broken metacarpal against Iceland.
Rohr disclosed the team readiness for the clash and refused to rule out the captain for the chance of picking a round of 1666 ticket from the historic game in Saint-Petersburg.
He said: “Unfortunately there is one injury. We have the captain who has a fracture of the metacarpal, but I think he can play with a cast.
“So, the medical team is working on him. We are now preparing for our next game against Argentina. We’re focused on this game and we’ll do all to prepare this team in the best way possible.”
