John Fashanu, the former British footballer, has claimed
that demands for bribes by Super Eagles’ coaches cost him the chance of playing
for Nigeria.
The former Wimbledon FC striker spoke in a recent chat with
the Special Delivery podcast hosted by Emmanuel Babayaro, ex-Eagles goalkeeper,
and Matthew Edafe.
Fashanu was born in London to a Nigerian father and a
Guyanese mother. He played just twice for England.
The former footballer’s decision to pick England over Nigeria has been one that drew the ire of most Nigerians throughout the prime of his 17-year-long career which saw him score over 150 goals and win the 1988 FA Cup.
Some Nigerians even labelled him “a traitor” due to the
decision.
On why he chose the Three Lions over the Super Eagles,
Fashanu alleged he was denied a chance of representing Nigeria thrice because
he would not pay a bribe.
He narrated how the late Moshood Abiola flew him into the
country to play for the national team but he was rejected by the coaches
despite playing top-flight football in the English Premier League (EPL).
“I remember a long
time ago in England and I was London with my son and this Nigerian came up to
me and said: ‘You are a bloody traitor to your own country.’ Then I went to a
bar with him I talked it through with him. And I told him that I have come to Nigeria
three times to play for my motherland. I was not invited to come to Nigeria but
the late MKO put me in his private jet and said to the coaches that ‘this guy
can play football and I’m going to give him to Nigeria,'” he said.
“Through him, I came into the Eagles camp and I started
playing there. I came the first time, but I wasn’t selected. Second and third
time and I was not selected. Bearing in mind I was still playing top football
in the English Premier League (EPL) at the time. So the then coach, I cannot
remember who it was, came up to me and said, ‘Fashanu, why don’t you bring some
money and we will see what we can do.’ And I was like no.”
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