The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) has ordered English Premiership side Chelsea to release midfielder John Obi Mikel for their African Nations Cup qualifier against Uganda on Saturday because of injuries to midfielders Seyi Olofinjana and Ayila Yussuf.

Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Seyi Olofinjana and FC Dynamo Kyiv’s Ayila Yussuf have both been ruled-out for the Super Eagles due to injury and the NFA now need the Chelsea midfielder to attend.

FA Cup holders Chelsea have already sent a written declaration to the NFA informing them that 20-year-old Mikel is currently undergoing treatment for a hamstring injury and cannot travel to join the Super Eagles squad.

But a spokesman for the NFA, Ademola Olajire, told BBC Sport that the NFA want their own team of doctors to assess the extent of his injury.

"The NFA is not satisfied with the club declaration hence we expect Mikel to be in Uganda for the game," said Olajire. "If our medical team confirm that he's not fit to play then will surely he'll be rested.

"We've made it clear that due process be followed and the said player be released immediately according to FIFA rules."

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