Gernot Rohr, head coach of the Super Eagles, has said that Captain Mikel Obi is important to the National team whether he is playing or not.

The coach said Mikel Obi is doing a good job alongside Ahmed Musa as the captain adding that he is a guide for the young players.

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Speaking at Saturday’s pre-match press conference, Rohr insisted that there is no problem with not picking John Obi Mikel in his team.

“The coaching and playing career are similar, I tell them to enjoy the time they are players because it goes so quickly and what you will do after you stop football.

“The best moment is when you are a player and they have to enjoy this moment. Play as long as possible, I tell them we have Obi Mikel here with us.

“Even if he is not starting the game, he is doing a good job as a captain, he’s a guide for the young players.

“Some of you believed, in Nigeria especially, that Obi Mikel coming back and not starting the games, we will have a problem.

“There is no problem and we have two captains, Mikel and Ahmed Musa, who is also a very important African player,” the coach said.

The midfielder has not featured since he suffered a knee injury against Madagascar in the final Group B game.

He is unlikely to return to the starting line-up vs Algeria, as Alex Iwobi is now ahead of him in the pecking order.