Mikel defies doctors’ orders to play on artificial turf

I got a report that the Super Eagles’ midfielder, John Obi Mikel, who has not played for Nigeria on an artificial turf since he joined Chelsea, will defy the club doctor’s orders to play against Namibia on synthetic pitch Wednesday in Windhoek.
Mikel has suffered a recurring back injury and only recently nursed a hip injury with Chelsea doctors maintaining he should avoid playing on the hard surface of an artificial pitch.
Mikel shone in Monday’s training along with goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and Kenneth Omeruo, who is soon to join the Stamford Bridge side. Incidentally, Galatasaray-target Mikel has often been knocked for not showing enough commitment to the national team.
Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi told MTNFootball.com that he does not expect any of his players to struggle with playing on the astro turf at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek.
“I don’t expect us to have any problems with the pitch. We have trained on astro turf and just decided to use grass today (Monday). Tomorrow (Tuesday) we will train at the match ground again,” he said.
The Eagles on Monday had an hour’s training session in the cold in Windhoek with temperature going to as low as six degrees.
Keshi also declared that his team is battle ready for the Brave Warriors in Namibia.