Super Eagles Captain, John Mikel Obi has been ruled out from the rest of the Chinese Super League season with injury. The Tianjin TEDA midfielder who was not on the list of invited players for the AFCON qualifying match against South Africa will most likely not participate in the qualifying series any more. The Tianjin TEDA who is yet to feature for the Super Eagles after they failed to advance from the the group stages of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, suffered a muscle injury in training.

Mikel will however miss Tianjin TEDA’s home game against Dalian Aerbin on Wednesday and Sunday’s final game of the season away at Guangzhou Evergrande. “We are in a difficult situation right now. We know the importance of the remaining matches,” Mikel told the Nigerian Football Federation’s assistant Director of Communication, Ayo Olu Ibidapo. “I’m solidly behind the team and I believe the guys will do the job on the pitch and ensure we remain in the top flight,”

Mikel featured in 18 CSL matches this season and scored two goals providing two assists. Tianjin TEDA are currently 15th in the 16-team CSL table with 29 points from 28 points, level on points with Chongqing who currently occupy the 14th position on the table. Tianjin TEDA must win their remaining two games to stand a good chance of avoiding relegation at the end of the season.