Former Super Eagles head coach Samson Siasia has revealed why he didn't call up John Mikel Obi for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

According to Siasia, Mikel had earlier rejected an invitation to play for Nigeria in the qualifiers against Ghana but later wanted to join the team after they had secured qualification without him.

“Mikel wasn’t a starter at Chelsea then, he was on the bench. I told him we only had one game against Ghana to play – please come and help us,” Siasia told Elegbete TV Sports.

“I said if he doesn’t come, he won’t go anywhere. But Mikel refused to come, saying he was playing for Chelsea.

“Nothing happened, we played very well, at the end of the day 0-0, we qualified.”

Siasia later revealed that he rejected a €50,000 bribe offer from Mikel Obi's agent to take him to the Olympics.

“Going to the Olympics, Mikel wants to come and play. His agent said he would give me €50,000 so Mikel should play.

“I said it’s not about €50,000. He didn’t play the qualifiers, so I will take out someone that qualified us and bring you in? It won’t happen. That’s why Mikel didn’t go.”

WDN