Gernot Rohr will hand Mikel’s no. 10 role to Alex Iwobi ahead of AFCON’s Nigeria versus Libya qualifier.
Nigeria and Libya will lock horns at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Saturday in a crunch 2019 Africa Cup Of Nations qualifier.
Mikel, 31, who plays for Tianjin TEDA in China missed Nigeria 3-0 win over Seychelles last month and now he is ruled out of the must-win encounter against the Mediterranean as he is still battling to regain full fitness.
The absence of Mikel will see Iwobi play the No.10 role in the Super Eagles’ starting line-up against Libya and the emergence of Samuel Kalu would see the Bordeaux number ten on the left wing of Nigeria team.
The German tactician has indicated that SC Paderborn 07 star Jamilu Collins could well start at left-back ahead of Brian Idowu against the North African nation after injury stopped him from doing so against Seychelles last month.
Rohr will line up his strongest team using his preferred formation of 4-2-3-1 to unlock the highly organised Libyan defence.
Libya sits on top of the group with four points with a superior goal difference to South Africa and Nigeria are third with three points, Seychelles last on the table without any points from two matches so far.
