The return of Chelsea hero Obi Mikel was the reason behind Gernot Rohr's decision to drop Rotherham United's Semi Ajayi from the final roster that will defend the colours of Nigeria at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

The German football tactician stuck to his guns with regards to Leicester City's Kelechi Iheanacho, electing to omit the striker due to his poor goalscoring form for club and country.

''We had to do away with a defensive midfielder because Obi Mikel came back, he's well integrated in the group so we had to remove our player Semi Ajayi and also a striker who is lacking confidence but he worked very well,'' said Rohr to Super Eagles Media team.

''It was very difficult to decide but everybody, my staff, we are five people, we agreed about the two names. This decision was very objective, it's never a good decision to take but we had to do it.


''I hope nobody gets injured again but we had this case before the World Cup when we lost Moses Simon in the last camping and he had to be replaced.''

Ajayi and Iheanacho saw the handwriting on the wall they were surplus to requirements after they were not given a run-out in the Super Eagles goalless draw against Zimbabwe last Saturday in Asaba.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel