Nigeria FA allegedly hijacks N134 million foreigner donated to Olympic team

This could be the biggest “scandal” to hit Nigeria at the 2016 Olympic Games holding in Rio, Brazil.

Nigerian soccer team experienced untold hardship on their way to the Games due to lack of funds. They arrived Brazil late but still managed to defeat Japan.

Team Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel and the lads have tried. — *Team Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel congratulates teammate.*

While Nigerian billionaires like Aliko Dangote apparently watched the team suffer international ridicule, Japanese billionaire Katsuya Takasu promised to help the Under-23 team even if they failed to win a medal.

Before Nigeria defeated Honduras 3-2 to claim the men’s football bronze medal on Saturday, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) allegedly sent an official to collect the $390,000 (N134.9 million) donation from Takasu.

Former Super Eagles goalie and sports analyst, Peterside Idah, is making the allegations.

Idah said the donation was to come directly to the players but NFF chairman Amaju Pinnick wants it to come through the federation.

Takasu watched Nigeria play Honduras. — *Billionaire plastic surgeon Takasu watched Nigeria defeat Honduras.*

An alleged reference letter by the Nigerian embassy in Japan indicated the money was to be handed directly to Under-23 coach Samson Siasia and Team Nigeria captain Mikel Obi.

Players, according to Idah, fear the money would never reach their hands should the NFF get hold of it first. They allegedly had an altercation with NFF officials before the Honduras game.

NFF said the money had to come through the association. It added that it would hand over the money to the team. But it denied it had already received the money as Idah claimed.

The NFF still has a case to answer for allegedly lying that it paid for the Delta Airline tickets the lads flew to Brazil. It appears the airline rendered the service for free.