Mikel unhappy about those questioning his commitment to the Super Eagles cause

SUPER Eagles skipper Mikel Obi has expressed his displeasure at the continued questioning of his commitment to the national team following his recent inability to participate in African Nations Cup qualifiers due to injury and fitness concerns.

Mikel, 30, missed Nigeria's three recent qualifiers against Seychelles and Libya and will be absent against next weekend with the Eagles take on South Africa in Johannesburg. Ruled out of the rest of the Chinese season due to injury, Mikel is struggling with his fitness and has not featured for Nigeria since the World Cup in Russia over the summer.

His continued absence has raised questions about whether Mikel's international career has come to an end but the skipper is adamant that he is still available for Nigeria. Babawo Mohammed, Mikel's agent, said he wondered by doubts over the player's commitment surfaced in the first place.

Mr Mohamed added: "The doubts over his commitments got to him because he adores playing for the Super Eagles and as captain he want to be a shining light for the young players in the team. If Mikel is no longer interested in playing for Nigeria he will make an official announcement but for now it’s due to injury.

"People should understand his commitment and love for the Super Eagles. He will no doubt support them to qualify for the Cup of Nations because he wants to play and lift it again with the Super Eagles."

On November 17, the Eagles will face Bafana Bafana in Johannesburg and three days later will square up to Uganda in friendly game in Uyo. Nigeria will once more have to prosecute both games without its talisman Mikel, who is highly influential both off and on the pitch.

Meanwhile, former Chelsea and Super Eagles defender Celestine Babayaro has advised Victor Moses to rescind his decision to quit international football for the good of his club career after falling down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge. Moses retired from international football after the World Cup in Russia but Babayaro believes a return to the national team set up will no doubt generate interest in his services from clubsides.

New Chelsea coach Maurizo Sarri has already told Moses that he can leave the club in January when the transfer window opens. Since the start of the current season, Moses has barely seen any action at Chelsea as he lost his place under the new 4-3-3 formation which Mr Sarri has introduced.

Babayaro said: "A return to the Super Eagles will no doubt do his career a whole lot of good right now. He is not getting games at Chelsea but he will sure get games with the Super Eagles and that could provoke interest from top clubs unlike now where only mid table teams will consider him.

"Moses is a talented player no doubt and he still deserves a shot at a top team but that won’t happen if he isn’t playing at Chelsea. It could happen if he impresses at international level with Nigeria, so he should consider it."