Mikel Obi Denies Donating ($30,000) N11m To Samson Siasia's Dream Team

Captain of Team Nigeria to the Rio Olympics, John Mikel Obi has denied media reports making the rounds in Nigeria that he gave $30,000 dollars to his teammates in the U23 football team.

Speaking from the team’s camp at the Hyatt Place in Atlanta, USA, Mikel said, “I was first told of this unfortunate story by a friend who called me from Nigeria. I thought he was joking until he sent me the link.

“I don’t know the source of this story which to me is all out to divide us as a team. I would have thought that stories that should be coming out in the media are stories that will unite the team instead of dividing us. Our target in Rio is to excel, but if they continue like this, then I wonder how we can be united.”

Wondering why the writer thinks that the players are hungry that needed his money, Mikel asked: “Tell me the players who are in this team that are so hungry that will be looking up to me for survival? Is it (William) Ekong, (Oghenekaro) Etebo, (Shehu) Abdulahi, (Daniel) Akpeyi, (Kingsley) Madu, (Okechukwu) Azubuike or (Stanley) Amuzie, who are my team mates in the Super Eagles, that I will be donating to, or other players who are plying their trade abroad and are doing well for themselves? To me, this is just mere distraction that won’t help this team going into a major tournament like the Olympics.”

The Chelsea FC ace then appealed to the sporting press and Nigerians generally to rally round the team and wish the players and officials well as they get ready for the men’s football tournament of the Rio Olympics.

Super Eagle Captain John Obi Mikel has reportedly donated N11m ($30,000) to Samson Siasia's the Dream Team VI abandoned in Atlanta by NFF and Nigeria government for days. 

Mikel Obi on Monday, July  25 joined up with the Nigeria U-23 side at the camp in Atlanta, United States. Several complains have been made about the difficulties the team is facing due to lack of financial support from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). 

According to reports, the team's expenses in the United States camp were financed by an individual on a 10-day sponsorship deal. 

Mikel Obi who will also be captain of the side has come to aid of his teammates by donating the sum of N11m ($30,000) according to several media reports which have not been confirmed by Pulse Sports.

This 'donation' comes after the coach of the side Samson Siasia revealed that he has not been paid for five months.

 

“We are suffering in Atlanta. We have not received any money since we arrived this training camp. I have not been paid for the past five months,” Siasia said.

“We will not hold the country to ransom by threatening not to play our matches, but the government has to come to our rescue.

“I know that by the time the Olympics will be over, our monies will not be paid.”

John Mikel Obi Mikel donates N11M to Samson Siasia' Dream Team VI  abandoned in Atlanta by NFF