Jo Bonfere receives his promised house in Abuja from Nigeria 22 after winning Olympic gold in Atlanta

FORMER Super Eagles head coach Jon Bonfere has finally received the house promised him by the Nigerian government some 22 years after winning Olympic Gold at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.

Mr Bonfere, 71, led Nigeria to her first ever Olympic football gold medal in Atlanta, beating Brazil in an epic semi final by four goals to three and then defeating Argentina 3-2 in the final. Following the victory, he was promised a house in Nigeria but it was not until yesterday that housing minister Babatunde Fashola handed him the keys to the apartment.

At a ceremony in Abuja, Mr Fashola handed the Dutchman the keys to a three-bedroom apartment  in Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory. Mr Fashola, said the reward would  inspire the Eagles at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

He added: “Let me on behalf of the president apologise to you that it has taken so long for the Nigerian government to come through. We thank you for your contribution to the development of our country, our youth, football and to say that it is better late than never.

"Nigeria always come through, we have come through for you. It is proper that with just few days to another World Cup, Nigeria fulfils and redeems this pledge and I hope that this will serve as an inspiration to our players going to the World Cup and the officials that this government will be there for you all the way."

Mr Bonfere thanked the federal government and stated that the gesture would encourage sportsmen and women to work hard, knowing that their achievements would  not go unrecognised. He added that he was fully behind the Super Eagles as they head to Russia for the 2018 World Cup.

“As a coach that was directly involved in the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and the 1996 Olympic football gold medal victories, I crave for an impressive performance for our Super Eagles in Russia and offer my support to the team and technical staff,”  Mr Bonfere added.         

Mr Fashola added: “Ordinarily, this ought to be a short meeting but if it takes 24 years for the government of the country to respond to its citizens, it must assume a news making event. This is consistent with the commitment that the president has made that once again, he will make Nigerians proud of their country and this country should always be there to respond to the needs and expectations of the citizens.”