Mikel: NFF, NOC Nearly Scuppered Nigeria’s U-23 Participation At Rio Olympic Games

Former Nigerian international, Mikel Obi says the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) almost scuppered Dream Team’s ambition at the Rio Olympic Games in Brazil.

Mikel’s comments highlight significant issues with the planning and organization of the Nigerian Olympic team’s trip. Despite the financial support promised by the government, logistical and administrative hurdles nearly jeopardized the team’s participation in the games.

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner’s intervention ensured that the team could compete without further delay, avoiding what could have been a major embarrassment for Nigerian football.

“When I represented my country at the Olympics in Brazil, we had to fly there, and we waited from morning till night, waiting for a plane to take us to Brazil,” Mikel said on the One Obi podcast.

“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 morning till night but there was no flight. I had to pay for that flight to take us to Brazil. And these are little things.”