Revelation of happenings within the various camps of the national teams of Nigeria has been popping up in recent weeks with that of a bribe at Olympic Eagles being the latest.
The Olympic (U-23) Eagles Tuesday crashed out of the next edition of the African Cup Of Nations for the U-23 category.
Two second-half goals from Guinea’s Bah Algassime and Soumah ensured the Salisu Yusuf’s team couldn’t qualify for the tournament.
The Guineans qualified with a 2-goal aggregate after holding the national team to a goalless stalemate in Abuja the week before.
The loss against Guinea in Rabat, Morocco, meant that Nigeria will not be represented in men’s football category at the next edition of Olympic Games in Paris, France next year.
Before the second leg of the AFCON U-23 qualifier against Tanzania at the Lekan Salami stadium in Nigeria. It was reported that on-loan Arsenal WonderKid Tim Akinola left the national camp for England due to some undisclosed reasons.
Speculations argued that former Huddersfield player, left after refusing to pay bribe to Olympic Eagles coaches. At the time, representatives of the player chose to remain mum over the development.
Now, following the Olympic Eagles qualification woes, representative of Tim has opened up.
Speaking to OwngoalNigeria , the representative confirmed he was asked to pay some money by backroom staff at the camp.
A backroom staff according to representative revealed that national team coaches survive from stipends given to them by players’ agents.
What was said about bribe at Olympic Eagles
“I must say none of the coaches approached me directly for money, but a part of the backroom team came to me. Explaining what the coaches are facing in terms of getting paid by the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF). He explained that it’s from the little that agents give them that they take home to their family,” he said.
Read also: Some NFF Members Working Against Nigeria – Journalist
“Back then he said, Salisu hasn’t been paid for 18 months. And his assistant Boboye hasn’t had a job for almost two years. So anything we can give will go a long way. I didn’t decline, but it’s a very sad situation to be in. I only said at the moment I am not that buoyant financially to help. But I will talk to his main representative; as I was only there as a guide.
“Two days after, he asked me again. And this time around he even proposed I ask Tim directly, which I said no. It was from that day that the coaches started acting funny and he left.”
