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Former Nigeria U23 coach Samson Siasia has claimed he was offered a €50,000 (₦91 million) bribe by John Obi Mikel’s agent to include the midfielder in his squad for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games — despite Mikel allegedly refusing to help the team during qualifiers, Footynaija.com reports
In an interview with Elegbete TV Sports, Siasia disclosed that Mikel declined an invitation to play in a crucial Olympic qualifier against Ghana’s Black Meteors in Accra, insisting he was a regular at Chelsea at the time.
“Mikel’s agent called that Mikel cannot come and he wasn’t a starter at Chelsea then, he was on the bench,” Siasia said.
“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.”
Contrary to Siasia’s remarks, Mikel had started four straight Premier League matches leading up to the game against Ghana and remained a key figure in the squad thereafter.
Despite his absence, Nigeria held Ghana to a 0-0 draw and secured qualification for the Olympics.
Siasia revealed that after qualification was sealed, Mikel’s representatives made another approach.
“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,” he stated.
Nigeria eventually reached the final in Beijing, losing narrowly to Argentina and earning a silver medal under Siasia’s leadership.
