SportsNews
Siasia alleges he rejected Mikel’s €50,000 bribe, refused to take him to Beijing Olympics
Former Nigeria U23 coach, Samson Siasia, has revealed why he refused to take John Obi Mikel to the Beijing Olympics.
The former Super Eagles boss said that by so doing he rejected about €50,000 bribe offer from Mikel’s agent, who wanted the midfielder included in the squad for Beijing 2008.
Siasia said he pleaded with Mikel, who was then warming the bench at Chelsea, to come and participate in the qualifiers but the midfielder refused.
According to him, Mikel picked interest to play in the Olympics after the team qualified without him.
A 0-0 draw with Ghana in the final qualifying game ensured that Nigeria booked a place at the 2008 Olympic Games.
However, facts contradict Siasia’s claim that Mikel was warming the bench at Stamford Bridge as Mikel played four consecutive Premier League games from the start before the Ghana vs Nigeria qualifying game and started five more games immediately after the qualifier.
Siasia told Elegbete TV Sports, “Mikel wasn’t a starter at Chelsea then, he was on the bench. I told him we only had one game against Ghana to play – please come and help us.
“I said if he doesn’t come, he won’t go anywhere. But Mikel refused to come, saying he was playing in Chelsea.
“Nothing happened, we played very well, at the end of the day 0-0, we qualified.
“Going to the Olympics, Mikel wants to come and play. His agent said he would give me €50,000 so Mikel should play.
“I said it’s not about €50,000. He didn’t play the qualifiers, so I will take out someone that qualified us and bring you in? It won’t happen. That’s why Mikel didn’t go.”
Super Eagles playmaker, Alex Iwobi, has admitted they are waiting to see if the team would still play at the 2026 World Cup.
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, is optimistic of a potential lifeline from FIFA, after it submitted a petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Iwobi was asked by SuperSport if he would rather lift the AFCON 2025 trophy or qualify for the World Cup?
The 29-year-old, who played at the 2018 of the World Cup, replied: “I mean we’re still waiting, well hopefully we can go to the World Cup, but I feel it’s a tough one.
“It’s a tough one because winning AFCON is like… It’s a great legacy, it’s a great thing to have like in your career, a memorable moment.
“But then at the same time, because I’ve been to the World Cup already, a lot of the players haven’t been. They would like to say ‘I want to go to the World Cup,’ so I can’t be selfish and say win the AFCON and for my teammates to not go to the World Cup. So it’s a tough one. I don’t know. I don’t know.”
Politics
PRESIDENT TINUBU CONDOLES WITH SAMUEL CHUKWUEZE OF THE SUPER EAGLES ON THE PASSING OF HIS MOTHER
President Bola Tinubu sends his condolences
to Super Eagles forward Samuel Chukwueze on the passing of his mother.
The President also extends his sympathies to the family and friends of Mrs Sarah Chukwueze, who passed away on Thursday.
President Tinubu mourns with the Chukwueze family and encourages them to find solace in the memory and legacy of their late matriarch.
“The passing of Mrs Chukwueze, the mother of one of our bright football stars, just a few days after the passing of Super Eagles’ captain Wilfred Ndidi’s father, is deeply saddening.
I mourn with them, and I am with them in prayers during this difficult time,” the President says.
President Tinubu prays that God Almighty will grant the departed eternal rest.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
Arsenal’s starting XI to face Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday evening has been unveiled.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta opted to start Gabriel Jesus ahead of Viktor Gyokeres to lead the Gunners’ attack against the Red Devils.
This comes after Jesus scored a brace against Inter Milan in the Champions League in midweek.
The Brazilian will be assisted by Bukayo Saka and Leandro on the wings.
In midfield, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard return to join Martin Zubimendi.
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