Chelsea think their midfielder John Obi Mikel was outstanding despite Nigeria&rsquo;s 2-0 loss to Colombia in Sao Paulo on Thursday morning, but admitted that the African champions struggled against the South Americans. <br /><br />The influential Nigeria skipper would have set up Oghenekaro Etebo for the equalizer, with his team trailing 1-0, but the <span>CD Feirense star missed the scoring opportunity. <br /><br />Coach Samson Siasia made five changes to his starting line-up against Sweden, naming Akpeyi, Madu, Ndifreke, Aminu and Popoola in the squad , and the Blues reckon the lineup changes contributed to the country</span><span>&rsquo;s defeat. <br /><br />Reviewing the game on the official website, Chelsea stated : &ldquo;The Chelsea midfielder remained the linchpin of a second-string Nigerian side as their coach, Samson Siasia, chose to rest players ahead of a guaranteed last-eight game, <b><u>but the newcomers struggled to find their feet against an improving Colombian line-up</u>.</b>&rdquo;<br /><br /></span><span><span>&ldquo;The Champions League winner with the Blues orchestrated most of the offensive moves, nearly enabling an equaliser for Nigeria with a deft lob through the Colombian back four, but a surging Oghenekaro Etebo spurned the chance.&rdquo;</span><br /><br />Next up, Mikel and Nigeria trade tackles with Scandinavians Denmark in the quarterfinals on Sunday. <br /><br />Igho Kingsley <br /><br />Photo Credit : chelseafc.com<br /></span>