| Vogts Demands Mikel Apology
Nigeria’s German coach Berti Vogts has demanded an apology from England-based midfielder Jon Mikel Obi.
The 20-year-old Chelsea player has not been in the good books of the coach because of his relaxed attitude towards the national team, Super Eagles.
Mikel has written a letter apologizing for his “indiscipline” to the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) but Vogts says Mikel should also apologise to his teammates and show commitment to the team.
"I need all my best players and I am ready to accept his apologies if he can also spread it to his team-mates," Vogts was quoted as saying on BBC Sport.
"We called a meeting in London, but he failed to show up. We invited him to Kenya and Uganda; and again he refused to get back to us.
"If he is to play for the team, he must show commitment, discipline and total respect.
"If not, I will not call him up to the team."
Mikel was suspended by the NFA after he pulled out of a Nations Cup qualifier against Uganda in June as a result of injury although the Nigerian football authorities questioned the nature of his injury.
As a consequence, Vogts dropped the player from the squad that faced Niger in June, a match the Super Eagles triumphed 3-1.
Nevertheless, the NFA admitted that they received the letter of apology from Mikel and believe the decision is now up to the coach.
"We received a letter of apology from Mikel on 6 August, which we felt was appropriate," said NFA spokesman Ademola Olajire.
"But whether that is enough to earn him a recall solely depends on Berti Vogts and Samson Siasia [the under-23 coach].
"Vogts is not satisfied with the letter and expects more from him.
"It is now up to Mikel, if he would heed Berti's advice of extending his apology to the Super Eagles players." |