Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has hinted that he is yet to receive the plot of land promised by the Federal Government to members of Nigeria's victorious squad that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
Mikel, who captained the team in South Africa, recalled that each player was promised a "massive plot of land" by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Speaking on a podcast hosted by Peter Crouch, Mikel said the team was given a grand reception after lifting the trophy, but the pledged reward has never materialised in his case.
"We got a nice reception. We got offered a massive plot of land each, I don’t think I know where mine is,” Mikel said.
The former Chelsea midfielder also criticised the administration of football in Nigeria, accusing long-serving officials of failing to prioritise the development of the sport.
According to him, many administrators remain in power for years without driving meaningful progress, while funds meant for football are not properly utilised.
"We don’t have people that know about football,” he added.
“They sit there year after year, they control everything. They don’t want to let go of the power, and the money they get from it.”
Mikel disclosed that he has received invitations to return and contribute to Nigerian football but has repeatedly declined, insisting he cannot work with officials who do not share his vision of improving the game's standards.
“These are the things that need to be run properly. There have been phone calls to come back to get involved but I said no. Those people need to go. I can’t work with people that I know have the same objective as me.
“Same goal as me to be able to improve the standard of Football in Nigeria because that can be done very easily. The funds need to go to the right places,” Mikel said.
He maintained that Nigerian football has the potential to improve significantly if resources are directed to the right areas and administration is handled more effectively.
Adeyemi Adewale
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