Local News

Mikel’s Olympic ‘Fairytale’ Debunked: Siasia Names Real Sponsor

Former Super Eagles head coach, Samson Siasia, has publicly debunked Mikel Obi’s comments about sponsoring Nigeria’s flights for the 2016 Rio Olympics tournament in Brazil.

The 57-year-old led Nigeria to second place in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and replicated the success by winning the bronze medal in Brazil eight years later, but the journey was far from smooth.

Mikel Obi, on Peter Crouch’s podcast mentioned corrupt individuals have to be displaced for African football to make progress, recalling an incident where he had to pay over $30,000 to charter the flights for the Nigerian team during the 2016 Olympics.

“There was no money to pay for the flight, I had to pay for it. I funded it. When we got there, I thought I would be reimbursed, but up till now, I haven’t been refunded. It’s not about the money. It’s about the principle and respect,” the-ex Chelsea midfielder said.

Siasia, in a recent interview revealed Mikel did no such thing. Instead, the former Super Eagles coach revealed the problem was administrative, largely due to the laxity of Solomon Dalung, who was the Minister of Youth and Sports in Nigeria at the time.

The former FC Nantes striker also revealed Mikel didn’t have clean hands in 2008, hence, his omission from Nigeria’s Olympic squad in Beijing.

“Mikel’s agent called, and said he wouldn’t be able to make it. He wasn’t a starter in Chelsea then, he was mostly on the bench and I told him that we only had one game to play against Ghana.

“I pleaded with him to play the game against Ghana, telling him if he didn’t play the game, he won’t get a spot in the Olympics squad and he refused to come.

“We needed to win, but the game ended in a goalless draw. Time for the Olympics, Mikel’s agent promised $50,000 if he’d play the tournament, but I told him he didn’t play the qualifiers.

“I can’t take out someone that helped the team qualify for you who didn’t play the qualifiers, but in the next Olympics, he [Mikel] was one of the first to come,” Siasia told Elegbete TV Sports.

“Then in 2016, we went to America, and Dalung said I didn’t inform him. We had written to him in preparations for the tournament because the weather in America is similar to that in Brazil, but instead, he accused me of holding these players hostage.

“They left us there in America, and we suffered. Nigerians cooked for us since we couldn’t pay our bills. We went to Brazil on the day of our opening game.

“A friend called to help me get a plane to move the players to Brazil. I had contacted other friends to help me get some money to help me move the players. They gave us the money and we chartered a small plane.

“Mikel then said he couldn’t fly a small plane, he didn’t allow us take the plane, and that was a lot of money gone. Then they came with a bigger plane that could take all the players on the same day of the match.

“We did all we could, and got to Brazil. As soon as we landed, we secured our cargo and immediately tried to get accredited.

“Afterwards, we went straight into the game against Japan who’d been in Brazil for over a month, trying to adapt to the weather in the country, they had prepared very well,” Siasia continued.

“I cheered the team, and we went into the game, eventually securing a 5-4 win, despite taking a six-hour flight on the same day.

“A Japanese billionaire [Takaso] heard the story and was stunned about how we were able to defeat his side despite our predicament, and he decided he wanted to see us. He flew in all the way from Japan.

“He wanted to know how we defeated them, and he then proceeded to give us a winning bonus. FIFA thought it was a bribe and they investigated.

“He gave the team a $500,000 cheque in two names, one in my name and another in Mikel’s name. Dalung wasn’t happy about it and I couldn’t care less.

“After we cashed in, we shared the money equally amongst everyone. They all took the same amount. That’s what actually happened. Since I left, have they been able to go again? No. They cannot go,” the 51-cap Super Eagle concluded.

The entire situation, regardless of whose perspective the story is being told, gives a hint to the Nigerian public on how much poor planning and administration affects the performance of footballers during tournaments.

Soccernet.ng

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Local News

Fikayo Tomori Explains Why He Chose England Over Nigeria

Fikayo Tomori in England national team jersey

AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori has opened up on his decision to represent England on the international stage, explaining that the Nigerian Football Federation never officially contacted him.

Tomori, who initially represented Canada at youth level, later switched allegiance to England, earning five senior caps to date. While several English youth internationals with Nigerian heritage, including Ola Aina, Alex Iwobi, and Ademola Lookman, have opted for the Super Eagles, Tomori’s path led him to the Three Lions.

Tomori On His Decision

Speaking on the Filthy Fellas Podcast, Tomori outlined how England reached out after his stint with Canada’s youth team:

“I was playing for the Canada youth team, but about four months later, the England Academy manager reached out about the possibility of switching over. The next international break, England called me, and I knew I had to go. I thought if I said no, would I ever get a call-up again?”

He added that the transition felt natural because many of his Chelsea teammates, like Tammy Abraham, were already in the England setup.

“It didn’t feel different [from Canada] because all my friends were in there… it felt like Chelsea again,” Tomori said.

Nigeria’s Missed Opportunity

Tomori admitted that if Nigeria had made an approach, he might have considered playing for the Super Eagles.

“If it was Nigeria, I’d have gone,” he stated.

However, he clarified that no official call ever came, leaving him with no real choice.

“Would I have changed to Nigeria from England? I don’t know because at the time, I was playing for Chelsea, so I thought I would play for England. It’s not like I wouldn’t have played there, but they never called me, so I never had a choice to make.”

As Tomori continues to establish himself in Serie A with Milan, he now focuses on securing a spot in England’s 2026 World Cup squad, hoping to make his mark on football’s biggest stage.

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Wilfred Ndidi Backed By Sunday Oliseh As The Next Super Eagles Captain

Sunday Oliseh Supports Wilfred Ndidi For Super Eagles Captaincy

The conversation around the future leadership of the Super Eagles just got louder—and a lot more interesting.
Former Super Eagles head coach Sunday Oliseh has openly declared his preferred choice for the next captain… and his pick is none other than midfield powerhouse Wilfred Ndidi.

With William Troost-Ekong officially hanging up his international boots, the captain’s armband is now up for grabs. But if Oliseh had his way? The decision is easy.

Why Oliseh Wants Ndidi To Lead Nigeria

On his podcast, Oliseh Insight, the former Juventus and Dortmund star explained why Ndidi stands out among all current Super Eagles players. According to him, the Leicester-turned-Besiktas midfielder commands massive respect, shows unmatched professionalism, and consistently gives his all every game.

Oliseh put it plainly:

“At the moment, I think nobody doubts the respect the players have for Ndidi. And he’s a player that plays every game.”

This isn’t surprising. Ndidi has built a reputation as one of Africa’s most reliable midfielders—calm, disciplined, hardworking, and battle-tested.

Leadership To Match The Moment

Oliseh, known for bold captaincy calls (remember when he chose Musa over Mikel?), believes Nigeria’s next skipper must be more than a figurehead.
To him, the Super Eagles need a leader who:

Inspires the squad
Commands respect naturally
Communicates effectively
Represents the team with integrity
Leads on and off the pitch—not just someone who follows NFF instructions

In his words, the armband shouldn’t just be decorative. It should mean direction, strength, and identity. And Ndidi, in his view, fits that profile perfectly.

A New Era For The Super Eagles?

The timing of this debate couldn’t be more crucial. Nigeria is gearing up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where they’ll face Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania in Group C.

Leadership matters in tournaments. Momentum matters. And the right captain could set the tone for the entire journey toward Morocco.

Will Ndidi rise as the next leader?
Will the NFF agree with Oliseh?
Or will another name emerge from the squad?

Whatever happens, the conversation is officially on—and the sports world is paying attention.

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William Troost-Ekong Bows Out: An Emotional Farewell That Shakes Up The Super Eagles Camp

William Troost-Ekong Bows Out In Emotional Goodbye

Super Eagles fans woke up to unexpected news as captain William Troost-Ekong officially announced his retirement from international football. Despite being listed in Eric Chelle’s 54-man provisional squad for AFCON 2025, the 2023 AFCON MVP revealed via a heartfelt video on X (formerly Twitter) that his journey with Nigeria had reached its final chapter.

The announcement came with a touching message:
“HONOURED. GRATEFUL. FOREVER A SUPER EAGLE. Playing for Nigeria has been the greatest privilege of my life. The journey may end here, but my support never will. Here’s to the next chapter.”

With 83 caps in 10 years, Ekong leaves behind a legacy of leadership, consistency, and unmatched patriotism. He was instrumental in Nigeria’s run to the 2023 AFCON final and became one of the most respected voices in the national team.

Why Now? A Transition Already In Motion

In recent months, Troost-Ekong’s role had gradually shifted. The impressive rise of 20-year-old Benjamin Fredrick pushed him out of the starting XI, reducing the captain to a bench role. One of the most emotional revelations was his admission that he was supposed to take a penalty in Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier shootout against DR Congo—but being benched meant he couldn’t step up.

Still, Ekong showed class:
“I wasn’t frustrated; I just wanted to win this game… My role is to support the team as much as possible, both on and off the pitch.”

He had also hinted earlier this year that AFCON 2025 might be his final tournament, showing that this transition wasn’t entirely sudden—it was coming.

Ndidi Tipped To Take The Captain’s Armband

The big question now is: who leads the Super Eagles?
Former coach Sunday Oliseh believes the answer is simple—Wilfred Ndidi.

Ndidi has captained the team in recent matches and commands full respect in the squad. According to Oliseh:
“Nobody doubts the respect the players have for Ndidi. And he’s a player that plays every game.”

With AFCON 2025 approaching quickly, stability is crucial—and Ndidi might be the perfect bridge into Nigeria’s next era.

A Legacy Forever Etched In Nigerian Football

Troost-Ekong leaves as a true patriot: admired, respected, and loved. His leadership transcended the pitch—he was the voice of calm, the anchor in tough moments, and the embodiment of commitment.

For the Super Eagles, a new chapter begins.
But for fans, William Troost-Ekong will always remain a Super Eagle—forever.