'Have you paid?' - Fashanu alleges bribe request blocked Super Eagles chance, MKO Abiola brought him

John Fashanu has opened up on the painful circumstances that denied him the chance to represent Nigeria at international level, revealing that financial demands from officials stood in the way of his Super Eagles dream.

Born in London, Fashanu was eligible to represent the Super Eagles through his parents, and his country of birth England.

The Wimbledon legend recalled his repeated attempts to don the green and white jersey, only to be turned back each time because he refused to pay a bribe in exchange for a place.

According to the 63-year-old, it was late business mogul, politician and philanthropist Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola who facilitated his trips to Nigeria on three separate occasions. 

But even Abiola's support could not shield him from the harsh realities he encountered.

Fashanu told Emmanuel Babayaro of UTV Africa: "We've got issues here and I'm not saying who the coach was. Coach said, 'John Fashanu, you’re a great player. You want to be a Super Eagles player? Then you’ve got to put down X amount'.

"I told him I didn't have that money. I'd just come from an English family, we had no money. He said, 'Well if you don't have that money, I don't have that money, so let’s leave it'.

"And he left me, I have to fly back to England, and I was lucky because it was MKO Abiola who brought me. I didn't want to put any pressure on Abiola. I didn't want to ask him for money because I'm an English man, when do you ask a black man for money?

"I remember he said to me, have you paid? I said I cannot be seen paying to play football for my country. I have what it takes in this leg, I am not going to pay for it.

"No, I am sorry. Mr. President put me on a plane let me just go home. The second time I came again and almost the same thing again."

Fashanu explained that after repeated setbacks, he finally begged to be allowed into the team with a promise to settle the money once he had earned his match payments, but the response he received broke his spirit.

"The third time, and I begged this man, I will give you the money when I've done my appearances and I get paid, promise you, I will pay you.

"He said no, John Fashanu we can't do it like that. He said, 'Do you not think these players have not paid themselves?’

"I told him he shattered my belief when he said all the players had to pay to get into the team. That's not football."

A frustrated Fashanu returned to England and his career took a new turn after he received an unexpected call up to play for his country of birth, England.

"So, I came. That's the third time. I came three times. MKO Abiola brought me three times which I never told anybody because I didn't want the trouble, fighting, arguing.

"Three times to play for the motherland and in the end, on the fourth time, when I was getting ready in London, they said, ‘John Fashanu, you’re far better than what we have in the England team. Come and play for England’. 

"And I went straight into the team, made my first appearances, and left Nigeria—very sad."

Fashanu went on to earn two caps for England's Three Lions, featuring in international friendlies against Chile and Scotland under the guidance of legendary manager Sir Bobby Robson.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: Instagram

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