Mikel Offered Me $50,000 To Play At The Beijing Olympics – Siasia

Mikel Offered Me $50,000 To Play At The Beijing Olympics – Siasia

Sampson Adedeji

Former U23 national team coach, Samson Siasia, has revealed how ex-Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi offered him $50,000 to be part of Nigeria's squad for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Speaking during an interview with Elegbete TV on YouTube, Siasia explained that Mikel only showed interest in playing at the Olympics after the team secured qualification without him.

“Mikel wasn’t a regular starter at Chelsea then; he was mostly on the bench. I told him we only had one match left against Ghana — and I pleaded with him to come and help us,” Siasia said.

“I told him if he didn’t come, he wouldn’t be part of the Olympics squad. But Mikel refused, insisting he was busy with Chelsea.

“We went on to play the match, did very well, it ended 0-0, and we qualified without him.”

Siasia further revealed that when preparations for the Olympics began, Mikel, through his agent, attempted to buy his way into the squad.

“Before the Olympics, Mikel wanted to join the team. His agent approached me and offered €50,000 for Mikel to be included.

 “I told them it wasn’t about money. He didn’t help us during the qualifiers, so how can I drop someone who fought for qualification just to bring him in? It wasn’t going to happen. That’s why Mikel didn’t make the squad.”