Former Nigeria U23 coach, Samson Siasia, has revealed why he refused to take John Obi Mikel to the Beijing Olympics.
The former Super Eagles boss said that by so doing he rejected about 50,000 bribe offer from Mikels agent, who wanted the midfielder included in the squad for Beijing 2008.
Siasia said he pleaded with Mikel, who was then warming the bench at Chelsea, to come and participate in the qualifiers but the midfielder refused.
According to him, Mikel picked interest to play in the Olympics after the team qualified without him.
A 0-0 draw with Ghana in the final qualifying game ensured that Nigeria booked a place at the 2008 Olympic Games.