Former Nigerian international Mikel Obi has detailed how he personally booked a flight for the Dream Team as they headed to Brazil for the Rio Olympics in 2016.
Despite funding of N12 billion, Team Nigeria ended the Paris 2024 Olympic Games without a medal, sparking reactions from different quarters. Mikel narrated his ordeal during his time with the national team set-up, stating there were logistics problems.
He was recently criticised after saying players of African descent should not see Nigeria as a second option.
The former Chelsea star disclosed that he made many commitments while he was on the Super Eagles squad.
The 37-year-old narrated how in-fighting almost cost the team from participating at the Rio 2016 Olympics.
Mikel stated that he had to pay for flight tickets for the team after they had waited at the airport. He said via Soccernet:
“When I represented my country at the Olympics in Brazil, we had to fly there, and we waited for morning till night, waiting for a plane to take us to Brazil.
“There was no plane to take us to Brazil because there was in-fighting behind the scene of who was going to pick up the tab.
“The FA didn’t want to pick up the tab, the government I think released the money, but the FA or whoever the money got into his hands refused to release the money.
“So we waited at the airport from money till night but there was no flight. I had to pay for that flight to take us to Brazil. And these are little things.”
Bros leave them ooo. Why I go beef Mikel? When him Dey Chelsea I no beef am na now ? Them even Dey lie say because him no grant me interview. Na Mbappe Dey my pinned tweet na Mikel I go Dey worry about? I will
Never be that low in Jesus name. https://t.co/a7hz9hnOpj— Oma Akatugba (@omaakatugba) July 27, 2024
