Why I benched Mikel for Onobi –Oliseh

In from Nifemi Daniel . . .
Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, has explained the rationale behind starting Sunshine Stars midfielder, Paul Onobi, ahead of Chelsea midfielder, Mikel Obi, during Nigeria the 2-0 defeat of Swaziland in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
Many stakeholders were worried that the Chelsea midfielder, one of Nigeria’s best players was kept on the bench for the entire duration of the match but Oliseh insisted it was part of his game plan but warned that no player is indispensable.
“When I was appointed as the coach of the team, I made it clear that I don’t care where you played, as long as you can give me what I wanted, and then you are in my team,” the coach said.
Onobi was one of the star players of the team that defeated Swaziland, controlling the midfield alongside Ogenyi Onazi in the absence of Mikel, a feat Oliseh also commended.
“Onobi did not play at the expense of anybody, he came to play his own game and I was very happy for him.

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“Onobi shows he can play and very hungry for success, which is what I needed in a player, but I want to made it clear that nobody is replacing anyone.”
Oliseh also showered encomiums on his players for playing to his instructions.
“All what we spoke about, they put it into practice.
“Even in the second half, when we changed the tactics, it took just two minutes to say it on the blackboard and they translated it on the pitch.
“So congratulations to them and I thank them for their commitment.
“It was a good game and if I have a chance to play a friendly game in the future, I will play against Swaziland,” Oliseh said during the post-match conference.

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