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Former Super Eagles striker and 1997 African Footballer of the Year winner Victor Ikpeba has stated that the Nigerian national side can cope without inspirational captain John Mikel Obi who has surprisingly been omitted from the squad to face South Africa in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on November 16.
Ikpeba made his views known on Supersport's Monday Night Football.
"For critics of Gernot Rohr there are two home based players for the Super Eagles side for South Africa game.
''Mikel does not make the squad but I understand Rohr on Mikel's issue.
''Its good for the players to know that they can do without Mikel and Victor Moses. Mikel must be proud of these lads if after this game they earn three points.
" I don't buy the issue that Rohr has been out under pressure. This is the time to prepare your squad for AFCON.
"Mikel is experienced but not the future of the Super Eagles. The team has been brilliant without him or our best players," the onetime AS Monaco and Borussia Dortmund star stressed.
On the invitation of two home based players to the team, the 'Prince of Monaco' said:
"Players in Enyimba, Rangers, Kano ought to be in the team but surprisingly we have a player from Ifeanyi Ubah FC who have not been played for a long time.
"The home based boy Adeleye is a surprise invitation, but deserves it. Samuel Chukwueze is lightening up the La Liga (at Villarreal) so its good to see our best players getting invitations," Ikpeba noted.
Izuchukwu Okosi
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