NIGERIA officials have maintained Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi, who recently suffered a knee injury, will have to be cleared by the team’s medical staff before he is fielded in the country’s must-win AFCON 2015 qualifiers against Congo and South Africa.

Nigeria are away to Congo in Pointe-Noire on Saturday and then host South Africa on Wednesday at the brand-new Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo to round off the qualifying campaign for next year’s AFCON.

Nigeria’s midfielder Mikel Obi (C) clashes with South Africa’s defender Thabo Matlaba (R) during the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifying football match between South Africa and Nigeria on September 10, 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. AFP PHOTO

Mikel was listed for Chelsea’s weekend win at Liverpool, but was an unused substitute with speculations over his fitness still in doubt.

“We know Mikel is just returning from an injury and was listed for Chelsea’s win at the weekend. But just to be sure our medical team will still have a look at him when he arrives,” said team spokesman Ben Alaiya.

“But we have no fear what so ever over his fitness for the double header.”

Mikel, who is expected to join the Eagles training camp in Abuja Tuesday, last played in a 2-1 win against Shrewsbury Town in a League Cup clash on October 28, where he picked up a knee injury.