SUPER Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, has informed that members of the silver-winning national U-23 team to the Rio Olympics in Brazil are yet to receive the $390,000 gift by Japanese billionaire surgeon, Katsuya Takasu.
The Japanese gave the Samson Siasia-tutored team the cash gift for winning the bronze medal of the men’s football event of the 2016 Olympics.
Coach Siasia and Mikel, who also captained the Nigerian Olympics team, got a cheque for $200,000 and $190,000 respectively.
The cash reward from the Japanese drew reactions in some quarters, even as top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said that it was wrong for the players to have received the gift, adding that it could expose them to some Asian mafia.
But while fielding questions from sports writers on Friday in Abuja during a media parley, Mikel informed that it was only cheques written in his and Siasia’s names that were presented to them, declaring that they were yet to receive the money.
“We had a good tournament and we received a gift from someone.
“I don’t really see any problem with that. It was a gift. The cheques were signed in my name and in the coach’s name. I don’t think any player received cash or anything like that. It is the same way that you sign a cheque and give it to someone.
“We didn’t do anything wrong and I don’t see anything wrong in accepting the cheques. People have their opinion. The money is there, if you want to know, we haven’t received the money yet. But we are waiting for it.”
Speaking on the Eagles’ 2018 World Cup qualifier against Zambia tomorrow, Mikel informed that there is no pressure on the team to win but added that the players want to win the match.
According to him, the Eagles have a good chance of winning the battle of Ndola, adding that the players want to qualify for the next World Cup coming up in Russia.
“There is no pressure on the team. We want to win the game. We have to qualify for the World Cup. We have a very good chance of winning the game.
“Everyone knows the importance of Sunday’s match. When we get there, this is when we have to do everything we have to do together and make sure we do whatever the coach ask us to do and play to his instructions,” he said.
Mikel stated that he knew the enormity of responsibility placed on him to lead the Eagles as the captain, declaring that he was ready to shoulder it well.
“Since I took over the captaincy of this team, I have always been ready. I know the responsibility the country has placed on my shoulder. There is no doubt about that. It is not one that I am running away from.
“I always try and do my best. I need the support of these guys, I can’t do it alone. The players, we all play together on the pitch. Sometimes you need a voice to listen to. Whenever there is something to be done, we all discuss it and we take a decision.
“I am not really shy from responsibility; I am ready for it. That I have done previously and I will continue with this team.”
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