John Mikel Obi named in Nigeria’s Olympic squad

Mikel has 75 caps and four goals for Nigera

Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi has been named in Nigeria’s final 18-man squad for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

The 29-year-old Nigeria captain is one of the squad’s permitted quota of three players over the age limit of 23.

Watford’s Odion Ighalo, Kelechi Iheanacho of Manchester City and Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi miss out having not been released by their clubs.

The men’s tournament – won by Mexico at London 2012 – begins on 3 August, two days before the opening ceremony.

Those selected for the Games would miss much of the English pre-season and potentially the start of the Premier League and this has proved a sticking point between clubs and country.

However, Mikel is excited …

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