'He wasn't a starter at Chelsea' - Siasia claims agent offered N91m to include Mikel in Olympics squad

Former Nigeria U23 coach Samson Siasia has revealed that he rejected a €50,000 (approximately ₦91 million based on current exchange rates) bribe offer from John Obi Mikel's agent to include the midfielder in the squad for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, claiming the former Chelsea star refused to participate in the qualifiers.

Siasia did not name Mikel's agent but it is known that UK-based Nigerian intermediary John Shittu was managing the former Super Eagles captain at the time of the incident.

Nigeria faced the risk of missing out on the 2008 Olympic Games and needed at least a draw against a star-studded Black Meteors side to stay in contention.

Siasia has claimed that Mikel turned down an invitation to travel with the Dream Team to Accra for the crucial clash against Ghana, alleging the midfielder was a benchwarmer at Chelsea. 

However, that narrative doesn't align with the facts as Mikel had started four consecutive Premier League matches before the showdown with the Black Meteors, and another five immediately after the qualifier. 

Siasia explained that Mikel was not part of the team during the crucial Olympic qualifying campaign and only showed interest in joining the squad once qualification was secured.

Speaking to Elegbete TV Sports, Siasia said: "Mikel's agent called that Mikel cannot come and he wasn't a starter at Chelsea then, he was on the bench. 

"I told him we only had one game against Ghana to play – please come and help us.

"I said if he doesn't come, he won’t go anywhere. But Mikel refused to come, saying he was playing in Chelsea.

"Then we went to Ghana and played a draw. They brought Asamoah Gyan, they needed that win.

"Nothing happened, we played very well, at the end of the day 0-0, we qualified."

Ahead of the Olympics proper, Mikel's camp made an effort to get him included in the final squad for the competition in China.

"Going to the Olympics, Mikel wants to come and play. His agent said he would give me €50,000 so Mikel should play.

"I said it’s not about €50,000. He didn’t play the qualifiers, so I will take out someone that qualified us and bring you in? It won’t happen. That’s why Mikel didn’t go," Siasia added. 

Nigeria went on to win silver at the Beijing Games, with Siasia leading a squad that impressed en route to the final, where they narrowly lost to Lionel Messi's Argentina.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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