Ahmed Musa reveals why he handed Nigeria captaincy to Mikel

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has been appointed Nigeria captain by coach Samson Siasia.

Mikel, 28, replaces CSKA Moscow winger Ahmed Musa and Siasia informed both players about his decision on Wednesday night, telling ESPN FC that he decided to hand the armband to the team’s longest serving player.

“Mikel is the oldest serving player in the team and it is the right thing for him to have the armband,” Musa told ESPN FC. “This is just to correct what was done in the past.

“The most important thing for us right now is to concentrate on the two games in front of us and make sure that we beat Egypt and qualify for the [African] Nations Cup.”