I Never Donated Any Money To The U23 Team, Mikel Denies Reports

[caption id="attachment_10360" align="alignnone" width="690"]John Mikel Obi[/caption]

Super Eagles skipper, John Mikel Obi has rubbished reports in the media, claiming that he donated a sum of $30,000 to his U23 team-mates presently camping in Atlanta, USA.

Mikel who made this statement from the team’s camp at the Hyatt Place, noted that none of the players in the camp are hungry or needed his money.

Recall that reports emerged yesterday that following plea that the team was stranded in the U.S, the Chelsea midfielder came to the rescue of the team by donating $30,000 to them.

Advertisement

“I was first told of this unfortunate story by a friend who called me from Nigeria. I thought he was joking until he sent me the link. I don’t know the source of this story which to me is all out to divide us as a team,” the furious Mikel said.

“I would have thought that stories that should be coming out in the media are stories that will unite the team instead of dividing us. Our target in Rio is to excel, but if they continue like this, then I wonder how we can be united.

“Tell me the players who are in this team that are so hungry that will be looking up to me for survival? Is it (William) Ekong, (Oghenekaro) Etebo, (Shehu) Abdulahi, (Daniel) Akpeyi, (Kingsley) Madu, (Okechukwu) Azubuike or (Stanley) Amuzie, who are my team –mates in the Super Eagles, that I will be donating to, or other players who are plying their trade abroad and are doing well for themselves?”

“To me, this is just mere distraction that won’t help this team going into a major tournament like the Olympics.”

Advertisement

The 29-year-old further urged members of the press to support the team as they get ready for the men’s football tournament of the Rio Olympics.

The Dream Team VI begin their campaign on August 4 against japan, they will also face Sweden and Colombia in their group.

Leave a comment

Advertisement