Former Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia, has strongly denied claims by ex-Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel, that he paid for the Nigerian Olympic football team’s flight to the 2016 Rio Games in Brazil.
Mikel had recently said he used personal funds to cover flight expenses for the team after officials failed to provide travel arrangements. He also accused the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) of never refunding him.
However, in a sharp response, Siasia, who coached the Olympic team at the time, said Mikel’s story is false.
“Mikel did not pay for any flight tickets to Brazil,” Siasia stated. “I was the head coach then and I know what happened. Delta Airlines flew us. If Mikel claims he paid, let him bring the receipt. Maybe he’s broke and looking for money.”
While Siasia acknowledged that Mikel may have covered some hotel bills, he insisted the flight costs were not part of it. “He should stop making up stories. If he really paid, let him prove it,” the former coach added.
The Rio 2016 Olympics saw Nigeria’s U-23 team win a bronze medal in football under difficult conditions, including reported financial and logistical challenges. Mikel captained the team during the tournament.
The disagreement now raises more questions about how the team’s travel and welfare were handled by sports authorities at the time.
