Intl friendly: Mikel hits South Africa Tuesday

Chelsea star Mikel Obi will join the Super Eagles on Tuesday ahead of a friendly international against hosts South Africa in Durban.

Mikel, who has been busy with his club’s pre-season build-up in the United States, said he will leave London for South Africa on Monday night.

“I will be in South Africa on Tuesday morning because I will leave London Monday night. It will be an interesting game for both sides as we have World Cup qualifiers coming up soon,” Mikel told MTNFootball.com

He played a pivotal role when Nigeria won a third African Cup of Nations title in South Africa in February.

Meanwhile, Elderson Echiejile was one of the early birds in South Africa ahead of this Mandela Challenge match as he flew into the country on Sunday morning.

The Sporting Braga of Portugal star said on his official website www.elderson3.com that Wednesday’s match venue Durban reminds him of his first goal for the Eagles against Mali in the semi-final of the AFCON.

The former youth international also said he remembered the beautiful 85,000-capacity Moses Mbhida Stadium as well as the energetic Zulu dance that preceded the match against Mali in February.