Former Super Eagles coach Jo Bonfrère 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.
The 80-year-old Dutchman stated this in an interview with CreativeLordTV in Ebonyi State, where he attended the opening of Chief Agueze’s country home on Saturday.
Asked whether promises made to him after Nigeria won the gold medal had been fulfilled, Bonfrère, speaking through an interpreter, said he had never received the medal or his reward.
“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 added that while the players and other officials had received their rewards, Bonfrère had allegedly been left out for three decades.
“Every player has received, even the reward, every player and official. So after 30 years, I have never received my reward,” the interpreter said on his behalf.
The interview also touched on Bonfrère’s alleged disagreement with a minister over the selection of players for the Olympic tournament.
According to the interpreter, the minister repeatedly pressured the coach to select certain players, but Bonfrère insisted on choosing the squad he believed could win the competition.
The latest claim follows an interview Bonfrère granted The PUNCH in August 2026, in which he alleged that his Olympic gold medal had been stolen while in the custody of a team official.
He said the medal disappeared after an official stopped him from accompanying the players upstairs, adding that he had also not received the government reward given to members of the victorious team.
“They were claiming that everyone has received their rewards, but I have not received anything; they have never given me the reward for winning the gold medal,” he told The PUNCH.
“Even my gold medal was stolen from me, and I still didn’t get a reward from the government, which all the players have received, including players who were not on the list.”
Bonfrère said his attempts to seek recognition from the relevant authorities had yielded little or no response, but expressed hope that the government would eventually acknowledge his contribution to Nigerian football.
He led a talented squad featuring Nwankwo Kanu, Austin Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, Taribo West, Celestine Babayaro, Garba Lawal and Emmanuel Amuneke to Olympic glory in Atlanta.
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.
