[TRENDING VIDEO] “30 years after winning Olympic gold I haven’t received my reward” — Ex-Nigeria Coach
Former Nigeria U-23 coach Johannes “Bonfrère” Jo says he is yet to receive any reward or official recognition from the Nigerian government for leading the country’s Dream Team to a historic football gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
In an interview, Coach Bonfrère Jo said, “we won the gold, but I have never seen the gold. That’s the problem. So I don’t know how it looks. I don’t know how the gold medal looks because I have never received it. Yes, really. I swear.”
According to a man standing next to the coach explaining the circumstances, he revealed that the coach faced pressure from a minister to select certain players, including Okechukwu but refused to comply, choosing instead the players he believed would deliver victory.
“He said no. If you use the one, my choice, they will not get the cup,” the commentator said.
Despite the administrative issues, Bonfrère’s squad became the first African team to win Olympic gold in men’s football, famously defeating Brazil 4–3 in the semi-finals and Argentina 3–2 in the final.