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Speaking in a recent interview Yusuf revealed that the second holding midfield position is the preferred role of Mikel.

“Mikel prefers to play as a second holding midfielder and not the more defensive position he plays at Chelsea,” Yusuf said in an interview programme on on Friday, September 30.

“We (Eagles coaches) sat down with him to discuss his preferred position and he told us he will rather play as a second holding player like what he did at the Rio Olympics. And that was also the position we played him against Tanzania and he played very well.”

ALSO READ: John Mikel Obi reiterates commitment for the Super Eagles

Mikel Obi started his career as a No 10 before Jose Mourinho converted him to a holding midfielder in the early days at Chelsea.