Chelsea star Mikel Obi has offered his support to Samson Siasia ahead of two crucial games this month.
Siasia, Nigeria's Olympic team coach has recently been given charge for the Super Eagles' upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after Sunday Oliseh resigned. 41-year-old Oliseh quit overnight, citing unpaid wages and contractual breaches, throwing Nigeria's qualification into doubt for next year's AFCON tournament in Gabon.
Siasia will be joined on the bench by national team assistant coach Salisa Yusuf and Under-20 manager Emmanuel Amuneke to prepare for the double-header with Egypt this month.
And media reports say Mikel has called up the caretaker to pledge his commitment. This is good news for stakeholders, because the player and coach have had a notoriously lukewarm relationship.
Though Ahmed Musa is captain of the team, Mikel - as assistant - is seen to be a key factor if players will rally and deliver the goods in the two games.