John Obi Mikel contested the decision of coach Gernot Rohr to play Alex Iwobi in the number ten role of the Super Eagles during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria finished third, Owngoalnigeria.com reports.
Mikel started the first game for Nigeria as the number ten of the team but failed to impress in the 1-0 win over Burundi and he was subsequently dropped for the next group game against Guinea which Nigeria won 2-0 to progress to the knock out round of the tournament.
Mikel was back in the team for the final group game against Madagascar but once again failed to convince and that led to his axing from the team for their remaining games with Iwobi taking up his spot as the playmaker of the team.
The decision didn’t go down well with Mikel according to Rohr in an exclusive chat with Osasu Obayiuwana who only recently returned from France, where he spent tome with the Franco-German coach.
In a series of tweets posted on his verified account, the journalist revealed Rohr told him that Mikel wasn’t comfortable with Iwobi playing as the number ten as it took his spot in the team during the tournament.
The captain in the words of Osasu felt Iwobi was cramping his playing space and style and wanted Rohr to drop the Everton forward. Something that Rohr didn’t accept ad it caused a rift between the duo during the tournament.
According to Osasu, Rohr made the decision to drop his captain after seeing his poor physical form during the games he played and that caused a rift in the team which the coach suggested made Mikel to back the players during the row over pay that happened at the tournament, although he said it was a justified move.
However Rohr insist that he has nothing but praise for the Trabzonspor midfielder citing him as one player who served the Super Eagles very well and deserve a better finish to his international career, something that makes him to have nothing but respect for Mikel.
” He served the Super Eagles very well, for many years. It was very important that he finished his career with Nigeria in a good way. I have nothing but respect for him and how we worked together “, the coach said.
” Yes there were some difficult moments with Mikel during the tournament. But it’s normal for players and coaches to have these things. That’s why I’m the manager. I have to manage “, he concluded.
