Nigeria bossGernot Rohr has lashed out at new Chelsea manager Antonio Conte over the Italian's treatment of midfielder John Obi Mikel.
Mikel is Chelsea's longest-serving player after John Terry, and has always played his part, gaining the confidence of every manager who has come through the doors at Stamford Bridge.
So far, Conte hasn't bought into it, and the Nigerian hasn't made a single appearance this season.
It is also believed that the midfielder, who is into the last year of his contract, won't be offered a new deal. AndRohr is of the opinionthat the player is being punished because he chose to represent Nigeria during the Rio Olympics this year.
"There is a reason why Mikel is not playing for Chelsea right now and that reason is because he played for Nigeria at the Olympics," he said, via theMirror. "He was punished for that.
"I cannot punish a player who loves his country and shows that he loves the Green jersey. I am not happy with what is happening to Mikel at his club because he is my captain.
"I spoke about this with Mikel and the club's technical director [Michael Emenalo]. Mikel is training very well and he plays games in training with the big players at Chelsea.�
According to Conte, Mikel hasn't been playing because he's struggling with fitness. However, he played in his country's last World Cup qualifying matches against Tanzania and Zambia, and should be in Rohr's squad to face Algeria on Saturday.
"He [Mikel] is here with us and he is fit and I hope he can play for 90 minutes against Algeria but if it is not possible, we shall see. He is a big player so if he tells me on Saturday he can play for 90 minutes, great but if he says he cannot, then I will also listen to him.
"I have big confidence in him and if he says ˜it is okay', then it is okay but when he says ˜it is not okay' then it is not and I will listen to him.�
Meanwhile, Rohr is considering borrowing a page from Conte's book, and could play Chelsea's surprise star Victor Moses in a right wing-back role against Algeria.
The former outcast has excelled in the position for Conte this season, and his national coach is said to be willing to tweak his formation to accommodate the 25-year-old's attacking and defensive capabilities.