John Obi Mikel and Odion Ighalo are now huge doubts for the Rio Olympic Games, it has been revealed.
It has now emerged that while Chelsea are yet to give the green light on Mikel playing for Nigeria at the Games, Watford have said in no unclear terms that they will not be releasing Ighalo for the event.
Mikel is listed as one of the over-aged players for the Games, but his participation has now been thrown into serious doubt with Chelsea reportedly yet to get back to the Nigeria Football Federation on whether he will be released or not.
While for Ighalo, Watford have stated categorically that he will not be available for selection, a development which Nigeria U23 coach Samson Siasia has described as a big disappointment.
“I’m not sure of Mikel because Chelsea have not got back to us on his availability, while Watford said they won’t release Ighalo.
“It’s a big disappointment,” Siasia was quoted on AfricanFootball.com.
It now remains unclear what the next step will be, as both players had been penciled down as two of the three over-aged players that will represent the country in Brazil.
