Former Nigerian international Jonathan Akpoborie has made claims that a Nigerian delegation had stormed into Nigeria's camp to take over training from Coach Jo Bonfrere ahead of Atalanta 1996 Olympics, as cited on Twitter.
The Nigerian football team won gold at that edition in 1996 having shocked the world to defeat powerhouses Brazil and Argentina in the semis and final respectively in Jo Bonfrere's first stint with the nation.
Bonfrere who left in 1996, was recalled by the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA) to lead the team to the Olympic games in Sydney, Australia, four years later but he was unable to re-work his magic.
The Nigerian Dream team camped in the United states ahead of the 1996 tournament, but Akpoborie, 51, has stated that the coach was almost sacked before the tournament proper.
"Bonfere Joe was almost sacked as the team was preparing for the Olympics. We were already in America working very hard and one morning this delegation came from Nigeria to take over training from Bonfere.
"The loud voice of resistance from the team was unanimous," the former Wolfsburg striker said in a tweet.
Akpoborie played for the Nigerian national football team between 1995 and 2001 scoring four goals.
This claim is coming barely three days that legendary Super Eagles defender Taribo West claimed that some of his teammates at France 1998 World Cup sneaked women into their hotel rooms before their round of 16 tie against Denmark.
According to West, who is now a pastor, this is the reason why the players put up a woeful performance as they were walloped 4-1 against Denmark after overworking themselves the night before.
Nigeria stole the show in the group stages after upsetting European giants Spain and Bulgaria in their first two games, before going down 1-0 against Paraguay in their last fixture, but that didn't stop the Super Eagles from topping Group D as the team became very popular in France.
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