ABUJA: Nigeria’s coach – Gernot Rohr – claims Mikel Obi is being ‘punished’ by Premier League club Chelsea for playing at the Rio Olympics. The 29-year-old missed most of Chelsea’s pre-season matches as he helped his country win a bronze medal at the football event of the Summer Olympic Games. He has yet to play for his London club this season even after he re-joined them in August.Rohr was recently on a working visit to England and met with Chelsea officials. “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,” Rohr said. Despite his lack of games for Chelsea, Rohr said Mikel will start a decisive World Cup qualifier against Algeria in the southern Nigeria town of Uyo on Saturday. “He is an influential player and I expect him to motivate others from the opening minute but what I cannot tell you is if he has the strength to play full time,” he said.