By Guest Writer Viorel Mesca.
Chelsea’s midfielder, John Obi Mikel has ruled himself out of the World Cup due to fears over his recovery from knee surgery. Mikel had high hopes that surgery on a knee injury would be useful and that he could recover in time for the World Cup. Although he was named for Nigeria’s 23-man squad, it was announced this morning that he won’t play. According to team official Emmanuel Attah:
“We have dropped Mikel from the World Cup squad after he told the team he did not want to put his career at risk as his knee injury has yet to fully heal after a recent surgery”.
Nigeria begin their World Cup campaign against Maradona’s Argentina on the 12th of June before moving on to face Greece and Korea Republic. One could argue that Chelsea’s players are jinxed as Mikel joins Germany and Ghana internationals Michael Ballack and Michael Essien on the sidelines for this tournament.
Meanwhile, Didier Drogba’s participation in the tournament is in doubt after he fractured his right elbow during Ivory Coast’s friendly win over Japan. L’Equipe reported that both Didier and Kolo Toure allegedly said that he would miss out the tournament. Drogba’s injury is a massive blow for the Ivorians as they face Portugal and Brazil in group of death. Whether Didier recovers in time for the tournaments, it remains to be seen.
Baba Abubakar
June 6, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Ouch!
That’s a big set back on the Super Eagles. Nigerians wish Mikel quick recovery from this injury to prepare for future national jobs.
I wish Ideye’s replacement will serve as the right replacement for the Super Eagles.
Good Luck To Super Eagles!
Ezeobodo Blaise
June 6, 2010 at 10:52 pm
They says that prevention is better than cure. We should not see Mikel attitute from the wrong side as if he is trying to feel big, when it was the same Nigerians that made him. The was no authentic confirmation from any of his concern medical team that he is fit to play, before we can rain blames on him.
I hope with his replacement, the Super Eagles can still make it if the victory is destined for us.
Bravo Super Eagles never lose hope, their is no harm in trial.
Ezeobodo Blaise
June 6, 2010 at 11:06 pm
They says that prevention is better than cure. We should not see Mikel attitute or refusal to play world cup from the wrong side, as if he is trying to feel big before his kins men, when it was the same Nigerians that made him. I think there was no authentic confirmation from any of his concern medical team that he is fit to play before we can rain blames on him.
I hope with his replacement, the Super Eagles can still make it if the victory is destined for us.
Bravo Super Eagles never lose hope, their is no harm in trial.
Ezeobodo Blaise
June 6, 2010 at 11:13 pm
As for our man Didier Drogba, he is just a victim of circumstances. I trust him, he might risk that arm to play with it, but it will not be the best ideal. He who fight and run away lives to fight another day, though he did not run away, but just an idiom.
The Elephant will try.