Former Nigeria U-23 coach, Jo Bonfrere, has returned to Nigeria on a private visit, with the Dutchman expected to attend the official opening of High Chief Solomon Agueze Ejeh’s ultra-modern country home in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Completesports.com reports.
The 80-year-old Bonfrere, who guided Nigeria’s U-23 men’s national team to a historic gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, arrived in Nigeria on Sunday, 4 October 2026. ‘Soccer Ambassador’ Friday Kuja, who brokered the Dutchman’s visit, disclosed that Bonfrere would be in Ebonyi State for the official opening of Chief Agueze’s country home on Saturday, 10 October 2026.
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On Wednesday, 7 October 2026, Bonfrere confirmed his arrival and said he was already in Ebonyi State, where he had seen the Chief Ejeh’s country home. “I’m right now in the hotel in Ebonyi State. I’ve seen the house. It’s a wonderful structure; I’ve never seen one like it. Many other people are coming. The Chief just went out now, so I’m in the hotel,” Bonfrere said.
The visit marks Bonfrere’s fourth trip to Nigeria since he left the country following Nigeria’s silver-medal finish at the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations. Bonfrere ealier returned to Nigeria in October 2022 when he served as an ambassador for the annual Evolution Cup. On 30 October 2022, he inspected the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State.