TWO Nigerian athletes have been sent home from Rio to save the country’s ministry money.
Stanley Dimgba and Yusuf Mohammed were both brought to this year’s Olympics on standby in case any other athletes were injured.
But they – and three team officials – have been banished because they were deemed too expensive.
A top official told TheCable: “Yes, it is true that the curator, media officer as well as the two alternative players have been asked to go back to Nigeria.
“The ministry can only take care of 18 players and seven officials. The ministry cannot afford to be paying for extra rooms, feeding, allowances out of the 25 people that are supposed to make up the team to the Olympics.
“The aforementioned people have already left the team’s hotel and are no longer with us.”
Accommodation is currently available in Rio for £5 a night, meaning Team Nigeria will save a minimum of £45 every day from the squad axing.
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Dimgba, 23, and Mohammed, 32, were both listed as Olympic alternates for the men’s football team.
They now miss out on the chance to win £23,000, as promised to each player should Nigeria win gold in the football tournament.
Japanese plastic surgeon Katsuya Takasu offered the incentive after hearing about the players’ financial woes.
He told BBC Sport: “I read about the financial problems affecting the team and I felt the need to make a big contribution.
“I fell in love with the Nigerian team. Whether they win or not, I will still donate something to help alleviate the challenges in paying their bonuses or allowances.”
Nigeria play Germany on Wednesday in the semi-finals and will take on either hosts Brazil or Sweden should they reach the final.
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