Chelsea have confirmed that Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has been permitted to represent Nigeria at the Olympic Games which begins in Brazil on August 4, 2016.
The central midfielder, 29, did not travel with the 30-man Blues squad from West London to Los Angeles, United States on Sunday.
“John Mikel Obi has not travelled. He is Olympics-bound with Nigeria, ” Chelsea said in a statement posted on their official website.
Mikel was not considered for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing by Siasia, with the coach dropping him because he did not take part in the qualifiers.
He has represented Nigeria at Fifa U17, U20 World Cups, Confederations Cup and World Cup.