Daniel Amokachi, former Super Eagles forward, says Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has fulfilled a 30-year-old promise to members of Nigeria’s historic 1996 Olympic gold-winning football team.
Amokachi said the governor had allocated plots of land to him, former Nigeria internationals Garba Lawal and Emmanuel Babayaro, who were all members of the squad that won gold at the Atlanta Olympic Games.
The gesture honours the contribution of the Kaduna-born players to one of the most celebrated moments in Nigerian football history.
Amokachi disclosed the development while commending Mr Sani for fulfilling the promise, which dates back three decades.
Nigeria made history at the 1996 Olympics by becoming the first African nation to win the men’s football gold medal at the Games.
The Nigerian side, coached by Dutchman Jo Bonfrère, defeated Brazil 4-3 in a dramatic semi-final before coming from behind to beat Argentina 3-2 in the final.
The team featured a generation of Nigerian football stars, including Amokachi, Lawal, Babayaro, Nwankwo Kanu, Sunday Oliseh, Jay-Jay Okocha and Taribo West.
For Kaduna, the contribution of Amokachi, Lawal and Babayaro remains a source of pride, with the trio having played a significant role in the country’s historic triumph.
Amokachi’s comments come amid renewed attention on the welfare and recognition of former Nigerian athletes who represented the country on the international stage.
The 1996 Olympic victory remains one of Nigeria’s defining sporting achievements, more than three decades after the country first began competing at the Games.
Governor Sani’s decision to allocate land to the three former internationals is therefore being seen as a recognition of their contribution to Nigerian football and the legacy of the historic Olympic triumph.
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