Johannes-Franciscus Bonfrere, a former Nigerian coach, says
he is yet to receive his Olympic gold medal 24 years after he lead the Dream
Team to gold in Atlanta, US.
The Dutch tactician was in charge of the Nigerian under-23
football team that won Africa’s first-ever Olympic football gold medal in 1996.
He managed the team which had quality players like Jay-Jay
Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Celestine Babayaro, Taribo West, Emmanuel Amuneke, Sunday
Oliseh, Daniel Amokachi, Victor Ikpeba, among others.
The team defeated Brazil 4-3 in the semi-final before
beating a very coordinated Argentina side 3-2 in the final.
In an interview with BCOS TV, the former Super Eagles coach
said he is yet to receive his gold medal after leading Nigeria to the glorious
outing in the US.
Bonfrere said he was prevented from mounting the podium
after the win against Argentina, on the excuse that his gold medal was not
available.
“I have not been given the Olympic gold medal we won in
1996. After we celebrated our victory over Argentina at the final, I was
prevented from climbing the podium to receive my medal,” he said.
“They said mine was not available. I was annoyed and refused
to return with the team to Nigeria. I went to Holland instead. It is unfair
that after bringing glory to Nigeria, I was denied of my rewards.”
In June 2018, Babatunde Fashola, minister of works and
housing, had handed over the keys of a house allocated to Bonfere by the federal
government.
This was done in fulfillment of the government’s pledge to
him 26 years ago for winning the 1994 African Cup of Nations.
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