By Lizzy Chirkpi
Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has criticised the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan over what he described as an unfulfilled promise of a plot of land awarded to members of Nigeria’s victorious 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) squad.
Speaking in a viral interview circulating on social media, the former Chelsea midfielder said that more than a decade after leading the Super Eagles to continental glory, he is yet to receive the land reportedly allocated to him by the Federal Government.
“The plot of land President Goodluck Jonathan gave me after we won AFCON, till today I still don’t know where it is,” Mikel said.
The former Nigeria international also questioned the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over attempts to involve him in the administration of the game despite what he described as the federation’s failure to ensure that promises made to the 2013 AFCON-winning team were fulfilled.
“And these same people are calling me to come and work with the NFF,” he added.
Nigeria won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final in Johannesburg, South Africa, to claim the country’s third continental title.
Following the victory, the administration of then President Goodluck Jonathan announced a package of rewards for members of the squad, including national honours, cash gifts and plots of land in recognition of their achievement.
However, Mikel’s latest comments suggest that at least some of the promises made to members of the victorious team remain outstanding more than 13 years after the historic triumph.
Neither the Federal Government nor the Nigeria Football Federation had responded to Mikel’s claims as of the time of filing this report.