Former Super Eagles coach, Jo Bonfrere has claimed that he is yet to receive his reward for leading Nigeria to victory in the men’s football event at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, 30 years after the historic triumph.

New Telegraph reports that Bonfrere made the claim during an interview with CreativeLordTV in Ebonyi State, where he visited for the opening of Chief Agueze’s country home on Saturday.

The 80-year-old Dutch coach, when asked whether the promises made to him after Nigeria won gold had been fulfilled, answered through an interpreter, that he had never received the medal.

“I have never seen the gold. That’s the problem, so I don’t know how it looks. I don’t know how the gold medal looks because I have never received it,” he said.

The interpreter further explained that Bonfrere had gone three decades without receiving his reward, despite claims that the players and other officials had been rewarded.

“Every player has received, even the reward, every player and official. So after 30 years, I have never received my reward,” he said while conveying the coach’s account.

The interview also shed light on Bonfrère’s alleged disagreement with a minister over the selection of players for the Olympic tournament.

His interpreter recounted how Bonfrere allegedly resisted pressure from a minister, insisting on choosing the squad he believed could win the tournament.

According to him, the minister repeatedly urged him to field specific players, but Bonfrere maintained that he had to make his own choices to secure victory.

New Telegraph recalls that on July 31, 1996, Nigeria defeated Brazil 4-3 after extra time in a memorable semi-final before coming from behind to beat Argentina 3-2 in the final at Sanford Stadium in Georgia.

The victory made Nigeria the first African country to win Olympic gold in men’s football.