One of the Nigeria footballers ordered home from the Rio Olympics has lamented how they were thrown out of the team’s hotel and had to spend their own money to pay for the two nights they spent in Brazil thereafter before they flew out to Nigeria.
Cash-strapped Nigeria authorities ordered two alternate players Stanley Dimgba and Yusuf Mohammed as well as several officials to head home because they could no longer pay their way.
“God will fight my fight for me. It was heart-breaking when we were told to quit the team’s hotel in Sao Paulo,” said the player, who did not want to be identified.
“When you returned to Sao Paulo (from Salvador)they gave rooms to only the 18 players registered for the competition and even some team officials did not get hotel rooms too.
“For the two extra nights we spent in Brazil, we had to pay with our own money for our hotel and feeding.
“That is life for you.”
Nigeria take on Germany in a Rio Olympics semi-final on Wednesday by 8pm.