Lives of ex-Nigerian internationals after retirement revealed
Thompson Nsisongabasi
Jul 25, 2023
Lives of ex-Nigerian internationals after retirement revealed
Nigeria has been represented at different international football tournaments by some great former internationals.
READ ALSO: Sandro Tonali will choose Manchester United if they secure Champions League football
Some of the ex-Nigerian internationals that have done Nigeria proud include Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, Sunday Oliseh, Taribo West, late Stephen Keshi, late Samuel Okwaraji, late Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Kingsley Obiekwu, Segun Odegbami, Christian Chukwu, Alloysius Atuegbu, Joseph Yobo and Vincent Enyeama.
READ ALSO: Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
Others include Daniel Amokachi, Samson Siasia, John Obi Mikel, Tijani Babangida, Obafemi Martins, and others too many to mention.
During their playing days for Nigeria, some of them played for top clubs in the English Premier League, Serie A and French Ligue 1.
READ ALSO: H0T: Man Missing After Police Arrest in Abia ... Read Details
These former internationals were paid by their club sides and match bonuses and allowances whenever they represented the national team of Nigeria in tournaments such as international friendlies, the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the World Cup.
READ ALSO: Muslim-Muslim Ticket: CAN Reacts, Reveals Planned Actions
THE PRESS reports that after retirement, some of these former internationals delved into coaching careers, football agents, while others chose different businesses to invest their money.
READ ALSO: ABIA STATE RETIREES ARE BEING PUSHED TO THE GRAVE FORCEFULLY - ERONDU THROWS ANOTHER BOMB
But it came to several Nigerians as a shock when a couple of years after retirement, some of these former Internationals started living from hand to mouth.
READ ALSO: MINISTERIAL LIST: WE HAVE JUST 5 DAYS TO GO ON VACATION, SENATE TELLS PRESIDENT BUHARI
Recall the case of Kingsley Obiekwu, a former Nigerian defender, who made headlines in the past after news broke that he had become a taxi driver.
Obiekwu was part of the U-23 team that won Africa's first football gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
READ ALSO: DRAMATIC : Watch how a ROAD SAFETY officer rejected bribe offered him |VIDEO
Many lamented the current state of Obiekwu on social media, while others criticised him for not investing his money, while some blamed the Nigerian government for not showing enough concern for former internationals.
READ ALSO: Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history
Obiekwu played alongside ex-internationals like Okocha and Kanu, who are billionaires today.
READ ALSO: Roberto De Zerbi: Tottenham in talks with ex-Brighton boss about taking over as head coach
Unlike Obiekwu, a former Super Eagles defender, Sam Sodje, who only managed just a few appearances for the Nigeria national team, managed to do some level of coaching and made progress in levels 1 and 2 of coaching.
READ ALSO: Senate To Honour Ejiro, Brave Tanker Driver For Averting Catastrophe | READ IN FULL
Sodje also runs his own company that deals with construction machine leasing in Nigeria.
READ ALSO: Sandro Tonali will choose Manchester United if they secure Champions League football
Another example is Yakubu Aiyegbeni, a former Super Eagles striker who was a prolific attacker in his prime and played for English clubs such as Everton, Middlesbrough, Leicester City and Blackburn.
READ ALSO: Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
After retirement, Aiyegbeni picked up a new career as a football agent.
His company, Wilbury Sports Management, helps aspiring players and coaches find their pathways into football, with a training centre in Florida, USA, and another planned for Cyprus.
READ ALSO: H0T: Man Missing After Police Arrest in Abia ... Read Details
He also delved into the petroleum industry and hospitality business after retirement.
READ ALSO: Muslim-Muslim Ticket: CAN Reacts, Reveals Planned Actions
On his part, a former Nigerian under-23 team player, Kaseem Yebsaya, became depressed with no help coming from anyone and no institutional arrangement to serve as a safety net.
READ ALSO: ABIA STATE RETIREES ARE BEING PUSHED TO THE GRAVE FORCEFULLY - ERONDU THROWS ANOTHER BOMB
Yebsaya was, however, lucky to have gotten the needed help from a good Samaritan who took him to a psychiatric hospital in Kaduna State for treatment.
READ ALSO: MINISTERIAL LIST: WE HAVE JUST 5 DAYS TO GO ON VACATION, SENATE TELLS PRESIDENT BUHARI
Similarly, Wilson Oruma, a former captain of the national under-17 team - the Golden Eaglets - who won gold at the Japan 93 cadet World Cup, became depressed also after falling victim to a swindler who robbed him of about 2 billion. It took the intervention of a few of his ex-teammates to help restore his mental health.
Also, a former Nigerian international, Daniel Joshua, who once proudly represented the Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles, found himself in a dire situation.
READ ALSO: DRAMATIC : Watch how a ROAD SAFETY officer rejected bribe offered him |VIDEO
After enduring a debilitating spinal cord injury sustained in a car accident during his journey to the Minna Eagles camp, Joshua has been bedridden in Kaduna State for the past 15 years.
READ ALSO: Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history
The gravity of Joshua's plight came to light when former federal lawmaker Shehu Sani paid him a courtesy visit recently.
READ ALSO: Roberto De Zerbi: Tottenham in talks with ex-Brighton boss about taking over as head coach
Sani, taking to Twitter, expressed his concerns about Joshua's circumstances.
READ ALSO: Senate To Honour Ejiro, Brave Tanker Driver For Averting Catastrophe | READ IN FULL
He highlighted the lack of support and assistance Joshua has received from the authorities responsible for his welfare.
READ ALSO: Sandro Tonali will choose Manchester United if they secure Champions League football
THE PRESS reports that some former Nigerian internationals are doing well financially in life after retirement, while some are living from hand to mouth.
READ ALSO: Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
Speaking with THE PRESS, Isa Saleh Sadiq, a Football scout and the CEO of International Football Academy based in Northern Nigeria, gave his opinion on the subject matter.
Sadiq said, "We must tell ourselves the truth. When a footballer represents the country, that doesn't mean Nigeria should shoulder his responsibilities after retirement.
READ ALSO: H0T: Man Missing After Police Arrest in Abia ... Read Details
"There are former internationals like Kanu, Okocha who are billionaires today. This calls for questions such as were the likes of Okocha and Kanu given preferential treatment after retirement?
READ ALSO: Muslim-Muslim Ticket: CAN Reacts, Reveals Planned Actions
"Money from football as it is coming today won't continue forever. Consequently, players should learn to invest for the rainy days to avoid stories such as that of [Kingsley] Obiekwu.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: ABIA STATE RETIREES ARE BEING PUSHED TO THE GRAVE FORCEFULLY - ERONDU THROWS ANOTHER BOMB
He added, "I would like to use this medium to advise footballers, but you will understand where I'm coming from if you are a footballer. It is really tough, you might not be earning much money, but mentally and physically, it can be a tough one. Players must accept it when active football is over. Then you must find something else to do.
READ ALSO: MINISTERIAL LIST: WE HAVE JUST 5 DAYS TO GO ON VACATION, SENATE TELLS PRESIDENT BUHARI
"The Nigerian government should also help in providing something like a pension for these national heroes who have represented the country. They should make available attractive welfare packages because these players sacrificed for the country.
"That is why you see some players today like Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori, Balogun, even Saka, the list is plenty, who are Nigerian-born or have a Nigerian root, snub the opportunity to represent the country.
READ ALSO: DRAMATIC : Watch how a ROAD SAFETY officer rejected bribe offered him |VIDEO
"They prefer to play for countries like England, USA, Italy, and others because they have better packages after retirement.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history
DAILY POST
Related Stories
David Raya is the best goalkeeper in the world, says Arsenal team-mate Kai Havertz after Sporting heroics
Sandro Tonali will choose Manchester United if they secure Champions League football
Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history
Who has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Who do England and Scotland play? Could Lionel Messi face Cristiano Ronaldo?
Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
Roberto De Zerbi: Tottenham in talks with ex-Brighton boss about taking over as head coach
""
— Thompson Nsisongabasi