Nigeria: Mikel Is Important to Eagles - Oliseh

Coach, Sunday Oliseh has moved to quell speculations that Sunshine Stars star, Paul Onobi is heir apparent to Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi.

Mikel was surprisingly dropped from the Nigeria side that beat Swaziland 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Port Harcourt but Oliseh says Onobi did not take the place of the Chelsea superstar.

He added that "nobody has a fixed spot in this team" as he continues his rebuilding process with the three-time African champions. "What I feel about Onobi is that he's a home star. I said it from the onset that I don't care if you play at home or abroad".

"If you are good enough and you can adapt to the tactics that we play, we will do it.

"I am glad that the whole world has witnessed a vindication of that policy that I will always adhere to. He's solid. He's strong on the man (tackle). He's solid. He's clairvoyant and one thing I like about him is that he's very hungry". 

"And that's what we need now. "However, I must use this medium to state that Onobi did not play at the expense of (Mikel).

"Nobody has a fixed spot in this team," he said.

"Oliseh's record as Nigeria coach in competitive matches is near perfect as he is yet to lose a single game since taking over from Stephen Keshi in July