We tried to reach Mikel in London, but he snubbed us, coach claims

Mikel ObiSuper Eagles Chief Coach, Sunday Oliseh, yesterday explained that he did not invite Chelsea of England star, Mikel Obi, for Nigeria’s September 5 African Nations Cup qualifier against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam because the midfielder refused to speak with him while he was in London recently.

Oliseh revealed in Abuja yesterday that he made several phone calls and sent text messages to Obi’s number but he got no reply. The former Super Eagles captain denied being biased against any player, adding that under him, the national team will not favour nor ignore any Nigerian player, who is worthy of lifting the national team.

He said: “Well this issue is an enigma and we have been trying to understand it, but I am in the dark personally. With my assistants we spent about 11 days in and around Europe talking to players, watching games.

We contacted each of the players, called them up, called the clubs and eventually met with the players. “I went to England on a Thursday and Chelsea was just coming back from its pre-season tour.

So, we had fixed our visit to coincide with the end of their tour before they played Arsenal. I contacted Obi Mikel, called him on phone four times, the phone kept on ringing nobody picked it up.

I sent him an SMS and got no response. But I called Victor Moses the phone rang three times and he picked it up and I spoke with him, told him to concentrate on his game. “After the game, he came to my hotel and we met and I told him my plans for the national team.

I left to Liverpool to meet the other player and I spent about six hours to go there and back but there was no response from Mikel until I returned here.

I think it was yesterday (Wednesday) that I saw a missed call, so at the moment I don’t know what the situation is. For me everybody is the same and will be treated the same.”