Former Super Eagles coach Johannes-Franciscus Bonfrere says he is yet to receive his Olympic medal 24 years after leading Nigeria to gold in Atlanta, USA.
The 74-year-old better known as Jo Bonfrere expressed his frustration in an interview with BCOS TV.
“I have not been given the Olympic gold medal we won in 1996.
“After we celebrated our victory over Argentina at the final, I was prevented from climbing the podium to receive my medal.
“They said mine was not available. I was annoyed and refused to return with the team to Nigeria. I went to Holland instead,” he said.
Bonfrere also revealed he was promised property by the late Gen Sani Abacha government as part of his rewards for his achievements with the national team.
“It’s unfair that after bringing glory to Nigeria, I was denied my rewards”, he added.
Jo Bonfrere, who now lives in his home country, led the Dream Team that included Celestine Babayaro, Taribo West, Joseph Dosu, Nwankwo Kanu, Emmanuel Amuneke, Jay-Jay Okocha, Victor Ikpeba, Garba Lawal, Daniel Amokachi and Sunday Oliseh to beat Argentina 3-2 in the Olympic final.
That team formed the spine of the Super Eagles squad he led to the final of the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations which was co-hosted between Nigeria and Ghana.
Nigeria lost the final 4-3 on penalties to the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon which included Rigobert Song, Geremi Njitap, Samuel Eto’o and the late Marc-Vivien Foé.
