The Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has apologized to players and officials of Nigeria’s Olympic football team for the challenges they faced, leading to their late arrival in Brazil for the Rio Olympics.
Dalung apologized to the players and officials after watching the Dream Team VI defeat Sweden in Manaus on Sunday to reach the quarterfinals of the tournament, according to a statement by the Spokesperson of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ademola Olajire, on Monday.
Dalung, a conspicuous presence in the stands as the 1996 champions pipped Europe’s best team Sweden in Manaus on Sunday night to reach the tournament quarterfinals with a game to spare, tendered his apology in the dressing room after the game at the Arena Amazonia.
“I want to apologize for all the circumstances that led to your late arrival here. I apologize because I am the head and as such I must take responsibility for anything that happens under my watch,” Dalung was quoted as saying after exchanging pleasantries with the victorious players.
Sports minister Solomon Dalung took responsibility for what he called the “unfortunate incident” and said in a statement that he went into the team’s dressing room after the Sweden game to apologize to players. He didn’t give details on how the mess-up occurred.
“I’m happy you all have put the unfortunate incident behind you and have shown that you are true heroes by making the country proud with your qualification for the quarter finals. This qualification is unique as you guys are the first team to do so in the football event.”
He said lessons had been learnt from the event and assured the players and officials that all bonuses and allowances due to them would be paid.
The team captain, Mikel Obi, was quoted as assuring Dalung that the team would not lose focus as their target was to win the gold medal for Nigeria.
Dalung watched the match in company with Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Brazil, Adamu Emozozo, and the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Chinyeaka Ohaa.
Delta said a “communications mix-up” had grounded an earlier flight the team was meant to take, but there were reports that the problem was because the Nigerian government hadn’t paid for the original charter.
Nigeria’s soccer team is regularly beset by problems, often involving money.
A dispute over bonus payments for players at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil led to them refusing to attend a training session and almost caused the Nigerian team to go on strike midway through the tournament. The team also arrived late for the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil — a World Cup warmup tournament — after problems over player payments.
Nigeria and Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel recently denied reports that he gave $30,000 of his own money to some of his teammates on the Olympic team as an incentive.
