Nigerian footballer, Chinedu Obasi has revealed why he didn’t make the team to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The striker claimed that he was dropped from the Super Eagles squad because he refused to pay a ”bribe.”
He revealed that though he was not part of the team that played the World Cup qualifiers as at that time, he was offered a chance to be part of the team to Brazil if he paid bribe.
Obasi revealed that as at the time, he was a regular player in Schalke 04, a top European club, and felt heartbroken when his name was dropped from the Super Eagles squad list because he did not give those in charge money.
“I was playing for Schalke, I was playing in the Champions League and I was doing well. Two days before the list came out, I was asked to pay some money if I want to be in the team,” Obasi said in an Instagram Live video.
“I felt like I’ve paid my dues for the country, I shouldn’t do this. If I was a young player, maybe I would have done that, but it was a bit personal for me and I felt very heartbroken. I was supposed to move from Hoffeinheim to England and I got injured playing for Nigeria at the World Cup [in South Africa].
“After that competition, nobody called me to know how I am doing. I spent a lot of money to get fit. All people talked about was the injury. They don’t care to know what I went through on a daily basis making sure I get my body in shape, to stay healthy.
“It takes a lot of dedication, money, investing in myself, and my body. I went through surgery, did everything I can. Now a competition is coming up, you’re inviting me to the national team. I’ve exhausted my own money and you want me to pay, which is a slap in the face for me.
“I said I’m not comfortable doing that. They said I should know the system, and I should act like I’m a Nigerian. I said it’s not about being a Nigerian but doing the right thing.
“I’ve kept it close to my chest since 2014 because you’d have unnecessary enemies when you talk. People who played in lower leagues went to that World Cup. I’m not taking a jab at anyone,” he continued.
“If you’re good for the World Cup, then you should go, but I feel like if you have to take the best and at the time, I was playing for a top team, Schalke 04 which was among the top team in Europe at the time.
“Funny enough, after the conversation, it got a bit more personal. They told me that even if I end up going as part of the team, their own agent will negotiate that deal. I said it doesn’t sound good to me.”
The Nigerian national team, Super Eagle was led to the 2014 world Cup in Brazil by late Stephen Keshi who stepped down from his position after the team lost to France.
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