Former Super Eagles midfielder, Mikel Obi, has made shocking revelations about the poor treatment of Nigerian footballers during his playing days, according to Soccernet.
In a recent podcast, Mikel exposed the failures of the Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), revealing that he had to pay for the team’s flight to the 2016 Rio Olympics and even booked his own hotel due to the subpar accommodations provided.
Mikel’s revelations paint a picture of a dysfunctional system, where players were left to fend for themselves due to the in-fighting and lack of funding within the NOC and NFF. The former Chelsea man recalled how the team waited at the airport from morning till night without a flight to Brazil, prompting him to take matters into his own hands.
“I had to pay for that flight to take us to Brazil. And these are little things,” Mikel said. “I had to sort out my hotel because the hotel they provided for us were so bad to stay in. I had to move to somewhere more conducive for players to perform.”
Mikel’s experiences highlight the struggles faced by Nigerian footballers, who have had to deal with poor logistics, inadequate funding, and a lack of support from the relevant authorities. However, it seems that the NFF has learned from past mistakes, as their recent efforts in improving logistics and player welfare suggest a positive shift.
Mikel’s revelations serve as a reminder of the importance of effective management and planning in sports organizations. As Nigeria continues to produce talented footballers, it is essential that the NOC and NFF provide the necessary support to help them succeed on the international stage.
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