Mikel accepts he no longer has the legs to feature as playmaker and is set for new role against Iceland

SUPER Eagles skipper Mikel Obi has accepted criticism of his role in Nigeria's 0-2 loss to Croatia in the team's opening World Cup game indicating that he is not the best placed player to feature as playmaker and would player a deeper role in future matches.

Last Saturday, Nigeria showed very little creativity going forward as the Eagles slumped to a tame defeat with Mikel featuring as the team's playmaker behind the front line. At 30, Mikel appears to no longer have the legs to run beyond the strikers and opposing defence or latch on to flick-ons provided by the targetman Odion Ighalo.

Several commentators, including Mikel's former manager at Chelsea, Jose Mourinho, have attributed the loss to the tactics adopted by Coach Gernot Rohr, saying he erred in using Mikel as his playmaker. Throughout his stay at Chelsea, Mikel played as an anchorman sitting in front of the defence and it appears that he will be given this his traditional role again on Friday when Nigeria faces Iceland.

After Saturday's loss, Coach Rohr defended his decision to play Mikel as Nigeria's playmaker, saying he has been impressive in the role. However, Mikel, has accepted that it appeared to be a mistake saying he is willing to play in any position if it will help the team to win games.

Mikel added: “I am the captain of this team and if I have to sacrifice for this team to progress, I will. If I have to sacrifice a position, go play wherever, I will do that for this team to win games.”

According to sources close to the team, Nigeria will likely make three changes to the starting line-up for the next game against Iceland on Friday. It appears that the trio of Kelechi Iheanacho, Tyronne Ebuehi and Ahmed Musa are strong contenders to start on Friday with Odion Ighalo, Shehu Abdullahi and Alex Iwobi expected to be dropped for the game,.

This is based on the need to inject pace and urgency into the attack, which will mean Musa will start out on the right with Victor Moses moving to the left flank. Ebuehi who is very adept at overlapping from his right full back spot is also in the mix to start ahead of Abdullahi as Rohr eyes more bodies upfront especially as Iceland are expected to be lined up in a defensive way.

Iheanacho will likely take the spot of Odion Ighalo in the starting line up base on the last few training sessions. It is not yet certain if Coach Rohr will try out Joel Obi as leftback to replace Bryan Idowu, who was also ineffective going forward against Croatia as he is right-footed and unable to deliver left footed crosses into the penalty area.

With Mikel likely to feature as an anchorman against Iceland, Arsenal's Alex Iwobi is set to be given the playmaker role and looked up to as the creative spark in the team. This may mean either Oghene Etebo or Wilfred Ndidi dropping to the bench.