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Sports News of Tuesday, 16 March 2021

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Vindictive Bonfrere Jo called me stupid, dropped me from Dream Team for refusing deal - Udi

The Dream Team made Nigeria proud in the 1996 Olympics The Dream Team made Nigeria proud in the 1996 Olympics

Former Super Eagles player, Duke Udi has revealed why he was omitted from the successful Dream Team that participated in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, USA.

Speaking in a no-holds-barred interview on Brila Fm, Udi said his refusal to accept a loan move to the Slovakian side from his then club, Grasshoppers in the Swiss top flight was the reason he was left out of the squad by Technical Adviser, Bonfrere Jo.

The 44-year-old, who was regarded as one of the most gifted midfielders of his generation, joined Grasshoppers in 1995 after helping 3SC win the Nigerian Premier League, according to Brila.net.

Udi however managed to make just five appearances in the league in twelve months and became surplus to requirement, before he was placed on the loan list.

He said : “Jo Bonfrere got me the Grasshoppers deal. But apparently, the contract was different from the treatment I got at the club.

“When I met him (Bonfrere) again, he said he heard I had been unruly and that I also damaged the official car given to me, but it was all lies and I told him that.

“Down the line, I was asked to go out on loan, Bonfrere told me to accept the move to Slovakia, but I refused and opted to return home to 3SC.”

"Bonfrere was angry and though I played all the qualifying matches and friendlies, He swore I wouldn’t make the 1996 Atalanta Olympics team. After the camp in Enugu ended and we got to Lagos where the list was announced, I was dropped. Bonfrere called me stupid for turning down the Slovakia move and just because he was such a vindictive, he could do that to me, he concluded.