John Obi Mikel is Nigeria's longest serving player. Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has been appointed Nigeria captain by coach Samson Siasia.

Mikel, 28, replaces CSKA Moscow winger Ahmed Musa and Siasia informed both players about his decision on Wednesday night, telling ESPN FC that he decided to hand the armband to the team's longest serving player.

Siasia met with both Musa and Mikel last night. Explained to both players that he wanted his captain to be the team's longest serving player - Colin NOT Collins (@ColinUdoh) March 24, 2016

"Mikel is the oldest serving player in the team and it is the right thing for him to have the armband," Musa told ESPN FC. "This is just to correct what was done in the past.

"The most important thing for us right now is to concentrate on the two games in front of us and make sure that we beat Egypt and qualify for the [African] Nations Cup."