simplyolat The duo has been released to participate in the
Joseph Yobo testimonial that will take place on
May 27 in Port Harcourt
Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel and his deputy,
Ahmed Musa, will not be part of the
international friendly matches against Mali and
Luxembourg on May 27 and June 1 as they
have been released to attend the Joseph Yobo
Testimonial.
Yobo, former captain of the Super Eagles,
would hold his testimonial game at the Adokiye
Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt on May 27,
same day the Eagles take on Mali in Rouen,
France.
The Nigeria Football Federation had come
under criticism for choosing the same date for
the friendly when it had already been
announced that Yobo, who made 100
appearances for the Eagles, had chosen the
date for his testimonial.
Striker Emmanuel Emenike lashed out at the
NFF’s insensitivy at not respecting Yobo
enough and setting a bad precedent for
younger players who want to serve their
country.
Now the NFF has said the team would be
without the captain and his deputy when they
play the two important warm up games ahead
of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
“The NFF leadership has decided that Mikel and
Musa should be excused from the two friendly
matches in Europe so that they can honour
Joseph Yobo, who is having his testimonial
game on the same Friday, 27th May that we
are playing Mali in Rouen, France. The two
players have been communicated accordingly,”
said NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed
Sanusi.
This brings to three the number of invited
players that would miss the game after striker
Aaron Samuel pulled out due to injury.
Midfielder Babatunde Michael has been called
up from Moroccan side Raja Casablanca.