By Ugo Kevwe | National News
Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Jim Nwobodo, has dismissed claims by former Super Eagles coach Johannes “Bonfrère” Jo that he was denied rewards promised by the Nigerian government after leading the country’s Dream Team to Olympic football gold at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
Bonfrère recently expressed disappointment that, three decades after guiding Nigeria to its historic Olympic triumph, he had not been properly recognised by the government. He also claimed that the gold medal awarded to him after the tournament was stolen while it was in the custody of a team official.
Reacting to the allegations, Nwobodo, who served as Sports Minister under the late General Sani Abacha, insisted that the military government fulfilled its promises to the players and coaching crew, including the allocation of land.
According to him, Abacha directed that members of the victorious team, including Bonfrère, should receive land in locations of their choice after Nigeria defeated Argentina 3-2 in the men’s football final at the Atlanta Olympics.
Nwobodo said if there were delays in implementing the rewards, they were likely caused by bureaucratic processes within the civil service rather than the government.
He also maintained that Bonfrère never raised any complaints with him while he was in office.
“If he had informed me that he was denied his reward or that his medal was missing, I would have acted immediately,” Nwobodo said, adding that he was unaware of both issues.
However, Bonfrère rejected the former minister’s account, insisting he repeatedly sought audience with government officials over the matter without success.
The Dutch coach said he made several visits to Government House, wrote letters and made phone calls in an effort to recover his entitlements but received no response.
He further alleged that some officials prevented him from joining his players during official engagements after the Olympic victory.
Adding to the controversy, former Nigeria international Taribo West, a member of the 1996 Olympic gold-winning team, had earlier claimed that the parcel of land allocated to Bonfrère in Lekki Phase 3 was hijacked.
West said efforts were still ongoing to recover the property for the former coach, lamenting that many members of the historic Dream Team had little to show for their achievements despite bringing glory to the country.
Nigeria made history on August 3, 1996, by becoming the first African nation to win Olympic football gold after defeating Argentina. The feat came a day after Chioma Ajunwa won Nigeria’s first-ever individual Olympic gold medal in the women’s long jump.
