Nigerian captain and talisman, Mikel Obi, may be forced to sit out today’s crucial match against Argentina if the referee Cuneyt Cakir deems it against the rules for him to play with a cast against his wrist.
The Nigerian midfielder hurt his wrist in Nigeria’s win over Iceland and is a doubt for today’s match which will decide Nigeria’s fate in this world cup.
A result against Argentina could well see Nigeria in the second round of the competition.
Mikel was sighted wearing a cast around his wrist during training and it will depend on the referee if Mikel will be allowed to play with it as he’d have to determine if it will be injurious to other players on the pitch.
If Nigeria can make it to the second round, it is very possible that they might face their second-round opponents from four years ago, France, in the second round.
All this depends of course if Nigeria can keep Messi and co at bay and while the Argentines have been shambolic over the last couple of games, no one can count them out and Nigeria will have to be at their best if they are to get a result from this game.