A Japanese plastic surgeon will travel to Brazil to watch Nigeria’s Bronze medal match on Saturday and has promised to hand $390,000 to the Olympic football team for its performance in Rio despite being cash-strapped.
Dr Katsuya Takasu promised to give each player of the squad $30,000.
According to a statement signed by Raphael B. Kibe on behalf of Takasu, he is giving coach Samson Siasia $200,000 and Mikel Obi $190,000.
“I hope to see them win gold,” he told the BBC before their clash with Germany, which they lost.
“They’ve sacrificed a lot to get to Brazil and reach the semi-finals. Humans with such a strong spirit should be encouraged to perform beyond their own imagination,” he added.
Takasu revealed that this is not the first time he has donated money to a sporting cause.
“I’ve made previous donations to a Japanese hockey team and other notable causes in the past but this right now with Nigeria is incredibly passionate for me.
“I am deeply determined to motivate this indomitable and strong Nigerian team. I don’t want to distract them but to push them further to their target – the gold in Brazil.”
Nigeria’s U-23 players, Dream Team IV, boycotted a training session ahead of their quarter-final win over Denmark due to a row over pay.
They were also stranded in Atlanta, US, for a few days before getting to Brazil, a few hours before their first match.
