Former Super Eagles coach, Bonfrere Jo says his recent interview with some Nigerian journalists was not meant to generate unnecessary controversy or dig up old wounds.
Bonfrere was brought to Nigeria by Dutchman Clemens Westerhof in the early 1990s. While Westerhof left after the Super Eagles lost to Italy in their second-round match at USA ’94 World Cup, Bonfrere stayed on and led the Olympics Eagles to win a gold medal at Atlanta ’96. Bonfrere shocked many Nigerians recently when he alleged in a radio sports programme that Westerhof collected $100,000 bribe to lose the match against Italy.
However, the coach said in a press statement made available to The Guardian yesterday that the recent polemic in the press does not reflect the entire context of his interview with some journalists. “It was clearly no intention of mine to generate unnecessary controversy or dig up old wounds,” he said.
He continues: “The misunderstanding that followed is largely regrettable and needless. And should not distract us from the point of focus today, which should be centred on ways of elevating the level of Nigerian football to what we used to know.
“As someone who has coached the Super Eagles on several occasions, I strongly believe in the future of Nigerian football. The national focus should be channelled towards ensuring that Nigerian players keep progressing individually so that Nigerian fans can relive more glorious moments like the ones experienced in USA ‘94 and in Atlanta ‘96,” he stated.
Bonfrere Jo further said: “The history of Nigerian football is part of my life and career and I am proud to have contributed in making the 1990s a decade particularly rich for Nigerian football on the international scene.
