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Former Super Eagles captain Jay-Jay Okocha has recalled the difficulties the Nigerian football team faced during their historic gold medal-winning campaign at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.
Speaking about the experience, Okocha said the team endured significant financial challenges despite eventually winning the tournament.
According to him, the then Nigeria Football Association failed to pay for the team’s hotel accommodation and meals.
He claimed the players were served the same meal, rice and sauce, for an entire week.
When they questioned why the menu never changed, Okocha said they were told they should be grateful they were still being accommodated because the football association had not settled the bills for their lodging and feeding.
The former midfielder also alleged that the players had to contribute their own money to cover accommodation expenses and rent minibuses to remain together in camp during the competition.
Despite the off-field challenges, Nigeria went on to win the men’s football gold medal, becoming the first African nation to achieve the feat at the Olympic Games.
He said …
“We won the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, but the process was tough. The NFA didn’t pay for our hotel, we ate the same meal for a week. They kept giving us rice and sauce everyday and one day, we went and asked how come they’re not changing our meal. They said we should be thankful we are still there because the NFA hadn’t paid for our meal and accomodation. We had to use our own money for accommodation and rented mini vans to stay in camp”
Watch video below …
“We won the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, but the process was tough. The NFA didn’t pay for our hotel, we ate the same meal for a week. We had to use our own money for accommodation and rented mini vans to stay in camp” — Former Footballer, Jay-Jay Okocha
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— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) July 9, 2026