AFCON 2017 qualifier: Why I axed Mikel –Oliseh 

Super Eagles Coach, Sunday Oliseh, yesterday said that he left out Chelsea midfielder, Mikel Obi, from his first squad because he has yet to establish contact with him.

Mikel last played for Nigeria last year November against South Africa in a 2015 AFCON qualifier in Uyo.

“I have not spoken to Mikel up till now, although I have contacted him on several occasions with no reply,” Oliseh said at a media briefing in Abuja.

“I sent him an sms, still no reply. I went to London, he plays in same club with Victor Moses, Victor came to the meeting, we spoke, but Mikel did not,” the 40-year-old gaffer added. “Every player we have invited, we have spoken to.

“No player is special, every player is the same. We will not win games with just one player, but with eleven players.”

Oliseh’s predecessor, Stephen Keshi, had experienced a similar fate with the Chelsea player, who many have accused of indifference to the national team cause.

The former Eagles’ captain, however, maintained that he would not pass any judgment on the Chelsea star until he has interacted with him.

“I can’t pass judgment on a person I have not spoken to,” he insisted as held the homebased Eagles to a training session.