John obi Mikel has not been unavailable for some crucial matches for the Nigerian national team and this has led to former coach Austin Eguavoen stating that it is up to the player to choose his international career.

It has recently been revealed that Mikel did not answer repeated calls from the Nigerian FA to take part in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Tanzania. The nation were crowned as champions only a few years ago and Mikel was an instrumental part of the team. However, he is coming into the time when players consider their international careers in order to focus on club football.

It may be the flavour of the time with Mikel, who is just 28 years old. There have been rumours about the player being unhappy at this club Chelsea. He has not been getting regular game time under Jose Mourinho. Even then, Mikel remains a key part of the Nigerian team. Just two victories in the last five matches this not bode well for the fortunes of manager Sunday Oliseh. Now that Mikel has resisted the opportunity to add to his existing Nigerian caps, it is highly unlikely that he will be available for the friendly matches against Congo and Cameroon in the first week of October.

"Mikel should please understand he doesn't have any other country to play for apart from Nigeria.He's one of our best players and plays in one of the best leagues and one of the best clubs in the world. He should put everything humanly possible into it (playing for Nigeria), or he should tell Nigerians 'I don't want to play anymore', and then we can leave him alone. I have been Mikel's coach since the U17's, I gave him his debut in the Super Eagles and I recommended him to Samson Siasia when he was the U20 coach,” said Eguavoen.