Mikel Obi Splashes Cash On Nigeria Olympic U-23 Team Ahead of Rio

Super Eagles and Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi has come to the rescue of the cash-strapped Nigeria Olympic U-23 team, as he donated the sum of $30,000 approximately N11m, for the upkeep of the team, Kola Daniel of African Football reports. The 29-year-old Chelsea star is among the two over-aged included in the team, and was also recently appointed as the captain of the football team as they prepare to move to Rio de Janeiro ahead of the games which kick-starts on August 5. Coach Samson Siasia who was recently robbed has called for support of the team, and also stated that he has not received his salary for the past five months. A player who spoke to Daniel said “Mikel has donated $30,000 to the team,” and as you know we have not received money since we left Nigeria.” The Nigeria Olympic U-23 team has promised to replicate what happened in the Atlanta 1996 Olympics, where the team won gold though Siasia's team attempted to repeat same in Beijing 2008, but ended up winning Silver. The team will slug it out with Japan, Sweden and Colombia in their group.