Alex Iwobi has pulled out of Nigeria’s AFCON qualifier after missing out for Arsenal at the weekend in Cardiff.

The midfielder is struggling with illness and that was the reason given for his absence at the weekend.

“Iwobi is out. Coach Rohr has already conveyed this information to his staff,” a top team official told only SCORENigeria.

In other news, Stephan Lichtsteiner has been called up to play for Switzerland over the international break, despite reports that he would be forced out of the team.

Back in August, various sources in the Swiss media reported that Lichtsteiner, Johan Djourou and Gelson Fernandes were all set to follow Valon Behrami in being forced out of the national team. Days after the reports emerged, Fernandes duly announced his exit, seemingly confirming Lichtsteiner was next.

However, despite continued claims in Switzerland that head coach Vladimir Petkovic doesn’t want any of the “established players” to return, he’s called up Lichtsteiner anyway.

https://twitter.com/SFV_ASF/status/1035528278998753281

Perhaps Lichtsteiner’s public refusal to quit the team played a part in the decision. After the retirement reports emerged, the 34-year-old told the media he would “definitely” carry on playing for Switzerland for as long as they keep picking him.