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Samson Siasia, former coach of Nigeria’s U-23 football team, has dismissed John Obi Mikel’s claims about paying the team’s flight tickets to the 2016 Rio Olympics, IsaGoal can report.
In an interview with Leadership Nigeria, Siasia firmly denied that Mikel financed the team’s travel to Brazil.
Mikel had told Peter Crouch on a podcast that he personally paid for the flights because football authorities failed to release the funds.
“There was no money to pay for the flight, for most of these players, it is their first time going for a major tournament. So I thought, why not? We got there and to this day, I still have not received reimbursement,” Mikel said.
Crouch reacted in shock, saying, “Wait, so you got a medal and have still not been paid?” Mikel simply replied, “Nope.”
Siasia has now challenged Mikel’s account.
“Mikel Obi did not pay any flight money for the Olympic Eagles from the United States to Brazil for the 2016 Olympics. Nothing like that,” Siasia insisted.
He explained that Delta Air Lines eventually flew the team after Nigerians in the US raised concerns.
Siasia said his friend helped secure the arrangement with Delta’s chairman.
He added that Yemi Idowu initially paid for flights but the aircraft couldn’t accommodate the squad.
Siasia urged Mikel to provide receipts if he really covered any travel costs.
“Mikel did not pay for any flight tickets of the team. I say this as the head coach of the team then,” Siasia emphasized.
He bluntly questioned Mikel’s motive, saying, “Maybe he is broke and looking for money. He should try other means to make money.”
The Nigerian U-23 team later won a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics.
This article was updated 5 hours ago