Former Youth and Sports Minister, Jim Nwobodo, and Dutch coach Johannes “Bonfrère” Jo have offered contrasting accounts of the circumstances surrounding the coach’s reward and the alleged missing medal, 30 years after leading Nigeria’s Dream Team to Olympic football gold at Atlanta ’96, The PUNCH reports.
Nwobodo, who served as the first executive Governor of Anambra State between 1979 and 1983, was appointed Minister of Youth and Sports in 1995 during the military administration of the late General Sani Abacha and was in charge when Nigeria achieved its historic success at the 1996 Olympic Games.
The Dream Team defeated Argentina 3-2 in the final of the men’s football event on August 3, 1996, becoming the first African country to win Olympic football gold. A day earlier, Chioma Ajunwa had become the first Nigerian to win an individual Olympic gold medal, winning the women’s long jump.
Marking the 30th anniversary of Nigeria’s historic Atlanta 1996 Olympic triumph, the 80-year-old Dutchman told The PUNCH he remains disappointed that the Nigerian government has yet to recognise or reward his contribution to one of the nation’s greatest sporting achievements. Bonfrère also revealed that the gold medal he received after leading the Dream Team to Olympic glory was stolen, claiming it disappeared while in the custody of a team official.
