[Simon]

Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, has withdrawn from the squad for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Seychelles.

Mikel Obi, who captained the side at the World Cup in Russia earlier this year, will not travel to the island nation from his base in China, where he plays for Tianjin TEDA and only recently returned from injury.

“We spoke together. He is just coming back from injury and he needs to push his club commitments to get back in shape.

“After injury, he needs time to get fit again,” Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr, confirmed to KweséESPN.

Rohr is set to name his squad for the September 8 fixture on Friday as the Super Eagles look to keep their qualification hopes alive for the 2019 tournament in Cameroon next June.