Mikel’s Olympic participation puts Ndidi in doubt
Mikel Obi’s confirmation for the Rio Olympics may force Belgian club Genk to stop Wilfred Ndidi from next month’s summer games as they insist on guarantees from Coach Samson Siasia their player will see first-team action in Brazil.
Ndidi, 19, is one of several foreign-based stars Siasia is banking on to shore up his team for the Olympics after several other players were stopped by their European clubs.
Siasia has already announced that Chelsea star Mikel has confirmed his participation for Rio, which means he is guaranteed first-team place and with Ndidi also now playing as defensive midfielder, his club do not wish to release him only for him to be warming the bench in Brazil when he could be earning his keep in Belgium.
“Genk want assurances Siasia will use their player, if not they do not see the rationale for him to be at Rio Olympics,” a source said.
But an official has reasoned that room could be created for Watford target Ndidi to revert to his old position in central defence particularly as Siasia is rebuilding that position following the long-term injury of Segun Oduduwa.
