Premier League club Chelsea were full of praise for the Nigeria U23s team, and Obi Mikel in particular, after they advanced to the knockout rounds of the Olympic Games on Monday morning.<br /><br />The Blues hierarchy, including USA 1994 World Cup star Michael Emenalo, permitted the defensive midfielder to represent Nigeria in Rio despite the competition falling outside Fifa&rsquo;s window for international matches.<br /><br /><span class="st">&ldquo;The 29-year-old influenced proceedings throughout a tense second half, when the experience of a player with a complete trophy cabinet in English football proved vital to reassure and reinvigorate a team of largely under-23s</span><span class="st"><span class="st"><span class="st"><span class="st">, &rdquo; Chelsea stated on their official webpage. <br /><br /></span></span></span></span><span class="st">&ldquo;Mikel and his team-mates displayed growing cohesion and confidence in comparison to their remarkable 5-4 win against Japan last Thursday, which took place only a few hours after the Nigeria squad touched down in Brazil following a logistical nightmare.</span><span class="st"><span class="st"><span class="st">&rdquo;<br /><br />Obi Mikel, 29, has started the first two matches played by Nigeria at the Olympic Games, logging 167 minutes. <br /><br />Nigeria are guaranteed top spot in Group B after their 1-0 win over Sweden. <br /><br />Ifeanyi Emmanuel <br /><br />Photo Credit : chelseafc.com <br /></span></span></span>