Keshi, who approved his withdrawal, said he would not “push Mikel too much” because of the September 7 World Cup qualifier against Malawi in Calabar. It was said that Chelsea doctors wrote to the Nigeria Football Federation on Monday asking that the player be excused for health reasons.
Keshi said, “Mikel has been withdrawn from the squad. He has a stomach bug.”
The other 19 players in the squad are already in Durban for the game, including Mikel’s Chelsea teammate, Victor Moses. Keshi also led the team in prayer for the late Nigeria international, Samuel Okwaraji, who died on August 12, 1989 during a World Cup qualifying game against Angola in Lagos.
“We pray for the repose of his soul and for the family he left behind. We miss him badly but God knows best,” Keshi said before Monday evening training session.
But Mikel is not the only player dropping out on the eve of the kickoff as South Africa’s Anele Ngcongca has also pulled out. Bafana coach Gordon Igesund said on Tuesday that team manager Barney Kujane spoke to Ngcongca before his flight on Monday and he was eager to play. However, it was reported that his Belgian side Genk are now claiming that he is injured and have prevented him from joining the national team.
Igesund said he requested Ngcongca to come to South Africa to be checked by South Africa Football Association medical team, but Genk refused.
“Anele Ngcongca will not play against Nigeria. Genk claim he is injured; it seems like a fabricated story. I am not calling up a replacement for Ngcongca. I have cover. I am just very disappointed at a club of Genk’s stature,” Igesund said.
Igesund maintained that his players are ready for the African champions, when he met with Keshi at the Southern Sun Hotel, where the Bafana Bafana are camped.
Many South Africans are eager to see the Super Eagles beaten after witnessing many years of Nigeria’s dominance over their teams at all levels.
The match is billed to kick-off at 8.15pm local time (7.15pm Nigeria time).
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