Super Eagles skipper, Mikel Obi, was “excused” from the team’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Libya to recover from an injury.
The three-time African champions will square off with the North African nation in a two-legged encounter this month without their talisman.
Mikel, 31, hasn’t featured for his country since last summer’s World Cup in Russia.
The Tianjin TEDA star was unavailable for last month’s 3-0 thrashing of Seychelles, raising questions about his international future.
However, media officer of the team, Toyin Ibitoye, has quashed such perception, claiming the ex-Chelsea star is currently recuperating from an injury.
“Mikel has been excused because he is just recovering from injury in China and needs time to fully regain fitness,” Ibitoye told BBC Sport on Tuesday.
“We expect him to be available for the November game against South Africa.”
Without Mikel, 24 Eagles were invited by Gernot Rohr for the double-header.
Ahmed Musa will most certainly continue as the side’s skipper in both matches.
