2025 AFCON: The Right Players Not Being Picked – Mikel Obi Questions Super Eagles Squad Selection

Former Super Eagles captain and ex-Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has raised questions about the selection of players called up to the national team for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Mikel said he believed there was no way head coach Eric Chelle could have made his selections without being influenced by external forces.

Chelle recently unveiled his 28-man squad ahead of the tournament.

The former Mali national team coach omitted the likes of Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, Wolves forward Tolu Arokodare, Crystal Palace’s Christantus Uche and Celtic’s Kelechi Iheanacho.

Speaking on his Obi One Podcast, Mikel said the selection did not reflect sporting merit.

“I don’t think the right players are being selected from what I hear,” the former Chelsea midfielder said.

“I think the manager doesn’t have the full authority to select who he wants. I think there’s a lot of influence on his selection,” he added.

Nigeria will face Egypt in a preparatory fixture within the next few hours before taking on Tanzania in their opening Group C match. The other teams in the group are Uganda and Tunisia.