Rio Olympics: Ighalo, Mikel may not feature for Nigeria

John Obi Mikel and Odion Ighalo are now huge doubts for the Rio Olympic Games, it has been revealed.

It has now emerged that while Chelsea are yet to give the green light
on Mikel playing for Nigeria at the Games, Watford have said in no
unclear terms that they will not be releasing Ighalo for the event.

Mikel is listed as one of the over-aged players for the Games, but
his participation has now been thrown into serious doubt with Chelsea
reportedly yet to get back to the Nigeria Football Federation on whether
he will be released or not.

While for Ighalo, Watford have stated categorically that he will not
be available for selection, a development which Nigeria U23 coach Samson
Siasia has described as a big disappointment.

“I’m not sure of Mikel because Chelsea have not got back to us on his
availability, while Watford said they won’t release Ighalo.

“It’s a big disappointment,” Siasia was quoted on AfricanFootball.com.

It now remains unclear what the next step will be, as both players
had been penciled down as two of the three over-aged players that will
represent the country in Brazil.