Sports

5 Former Super Eagles Players Who Became Pastors[PHOTOS]

Published

1 year ago

August 8, 2024

Many players plan their post-retirement lives, often staying within the football world as managers or pundits. Others explore business ventures or transition to different sports, such as golf.

In the Super Eagles, former players like Samson Siasia, Finidi George, and Augustine Eguavoen transitioned into coaching after retirement. Meanwhile, players such as John Obi Mikel, Nwankwo Kanu, and Jay-Jay Okocha have chosen different paths.

However, a few former players take a surprising turn and become pastors, dedicating their lives to preaching the gospel of Christ.

Taribo West

Renowned for his weird hairstyle throughout his playing career, Taribo West significantly impacted the football world over 17 years. Now 50, West enjoyed notable stints with top European clubs including Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Auxerre.

The tough-tackling defender featured 42 times for the Super Eagles. He was part of the team that won gold at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics and also represented Nigeria at two World Cups and AFCON tournaments.

West, who in 2014 founded his church, Shelter in the Storm Miracle Ministries of All Nation,” in Lagos, revealed in a 2021 interview that he “met God one on one” before his switch into ministry. He once confessed of being involved in occultic practices during his playing days.

It partly reads, “Why would I switch from being a footballer to becoming a pastor? I saw God one on one. That’s where my transition started—from the field to the pulpit,” West told the BBC.

“In the twinkle of an eye, I just heard an audible voice. And it came like a slap. It said: ‘Switch, turn.’ I turned. It said: ‘Look at the woman. Look for her now and call that woman and apologise to her. I said that to you.’ That can only be a voice from God.

“So I switched, like a Robocop, I start searching for the woman, and when this sister came all the way from America, she told me a lot of prophecies. And she told me in the next one or two years; I would open a church. All the prophecies she gave me came to pass.”

Alloy Agu

Alloy Agu was a key player for Nigeria from 1988 to 1994, helping them win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and being part of their first-ever World Cup squad that same year.

At the club level, Alloy Agu played for local teams NEPA and ACB Lagos before moving to Dutch side MVV Maastricht, then RFC Liège in Belgium, Kayserispor in Turkey, and made 28 appearances for the Super Eagles.

In a 2021 interview, Agu revealed that he retired early from football due to the covenant he made with God.

He’s currently a pastor at Christ Divine Church of God.

Peterside Idah

5 Former Super Eagles players who became pastors
The former Nigerian goalkeeper and current TV pundit played for Nigerian clubs like Enyimba, Heartland, and BCC Lions before moving to South Africa, where he joined Temba Classic and Moroka Swallows.

Peterside revealed in an interview that he gave his life to Christ in 1996 while playing for Iwuanyanwu Nationale (now Heartland FC) and also attended a bible school (Word of Faith Bible College), where he graduated with a diploma the same year.

He also stated he knew he would be a pastor upon retirement. “I knew it from a very tender age. My parents are pastors of Assemblies of God Church, and they influenced me a whole lot. So, as a young person, I was ministering in the youth church, I became a youth leader in the church, and I was ministering as a young lad at age 11. At a point, I used to lead the youth choir as well, and somehow I knew this was going to be my life, beyond every reasonable doubt.”

He is currently the pastor at Christ Ambassadors Church in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.

Chidi Nwanu

5 Former Super Eagles players who became pastors
Chidi Nwanu, whose club career spanned over 15 years, represented several teams, including the defunct ACB Football Club of Lagos, Westerlo, Beveren, and Anderlecht, all in Belgium.

He is best remembered for his outstanding performances with the Super Eagles during the USA ’94 World Cup and was also part of the 1988 Olympic squad. Nwanu earned 20 caps for Nigeria throughout his international career.

He is currently a pastor in the Prophetic and Deliverance Ministry in the United States.

Ikpe Ekong

Former Nigeria midfielder, Ikpe Ekong, is another player who transitioned to a new path after retiring from football. The Lagos-born ex-footballer began his career in 1995 with Julius Berger and retired in 2016 after playing for 12 different clubs across Europe and Africa.

In an interview, Ekong revealed he mounted the pulpit, following an encounter with God.

“I was privileged to have seen Jesus three times and the fourth time; he appeared to me at my villa in Sweden. It was an experience that no word can chronicle. So the next thing I did was to study and acquire more knowledge for the credentials given to me by God through His son, Jesus.

“He (Jesus) characteristically told me to bring his people together. I have been involved in the ministry for years; I travel around the world to visit helpless (people), prisoners and I have testified in churches to sportsmen and women.”

He is currently serving as a pastor at The Centre International Church City Church in Sweden.

Sports

EPL: Trossard Strike As Arsenal Beat Fulham 1-0

Published

2 days ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

Arsenal edged past Fulham with a narrow 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage, climbing three points clear at the top of the Premier League table. The result marked another composed and professional display from Mikel Arteta’s side, who continue to show their title credentials.

The decisive moment came in the second half when Leandro Trossard calmly finished after a clever set-piece routine.

Bukayo Saka delivered a dangerous corner that was flicked on by Gabriel, setting up Trossard to slot home the winner.

Arteta’s side dominated possession throughout, limiting Fulham to very few chances in front of goal.

The hosts struggled to create any real threat, with Arsenal’s defence staying compact and composed.

With the victory, Arsenal overtake Manchester City to sit three points clear at the summit after another disciplined away performance.

More to follow…

Sports

EPL: Nottingham Forest Sacks Postecoglou After 3-0 Defeat To Chelsea

Published

2 days ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

Nottingham Forest have sacked Ange Postecoglou barely minutes after their 3-0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday.

A statement from the Premier league club, released 20 minutes after full-time at the City Ground, reads: “Nottingham Forest Football Club can confirm that after a series of disappointing results and performances, Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties as head coach with immediate effect.

“The club will make no further comment at this time.”

Postecoglou was in charge for eight games and six of those ended in defeat.

It included an early Carabao Cup exit at Championship club Swansea City, when Forest led 2-1 in the 92nd minute before conceding two in four minutes to lose 3-2.

The other two games – away at Burnley (Premier League) and Real Betis (Europa League) ended in draws.

Sports

Edo Sports Commission Boss Charges New Armwrestling Board To Prioritize Accessibility, Sponsorship

Published

3 days ago

October 17, 2025

Editor

Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has charged members of the newly inaugurated Edo State Armwrestling Association board to embrace openness, accessibility, and proactive engagement with athletes and stakeholders.

Enabulele gave the charge during the board’s inauguration held at the Media Centre of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

The event had in attendance Executive Directors, the Permanent Secretary, and other top officials of the Commission.

In a statement signed by his Media Officer, Mr. Edoko Wilson Edoko, the sports commission boss described the inauguration as “a new dawn in our collective journey to strengthen and elevate the standard of sports development in Edo State.”

He urged the new executives to pursue sponsorships and partnerships that would drive growth and sustain the association’s programmes.

“Financial support is the lifeblood of sports,” Enabulele said.

“Through partnerships and sponsorships, we can provide the resources needed to nurture our athletes and expand our programmes.”

The Chairman also called for approachable leadership, encouraging the board to remain open to athletes, coaches, and stakeholders.

“Your guidance and presence will foster unity, strengthen teamwork, and create a culture of accountability and progress,” he added.

Enabulele further announced plans to introduce quarterly appraisal sessions between the Commission and sports associations to ensure proper monitoring and measurable progress.

“These sessions will allow us to review achievements, address challenges, and design strategies for continued success,” he explained.

He urged the new board members to carry out their duties with dedication and vision, stressing that their collective efforts would transform Edo sports and inspire the next generation of champions.

In his response, the new Chairman of the Edo Armwrestling Association, Mr. Eromosele Albert, pledged to organize both national and international armwrestling competitions to boost the sport’s visibility and give Edo athletes more exposure.

Albert noted that armwrestling is gaining rapid popularity in the United States and Canada and promised to leverage global trends to enhance the sport’s profile and financial sustainability in Edo State.

He also expressed confidence that Team Edo would perform strongly at the next National Sports Festival, where the sport offers 34 gold medals.

The inauguration ceremony ended with exhibition matches featuring male and female athletes competing in both left and right-hand categories.

Those inaugurated into the board include: Mr. Eromosele Albert (Chairman), Divine Rosemary (Acting Secretary/Coach), Hon. Frank Ilaboya, Mr. Johnson Femi, Mr. Johnny Summers, Mr. Osagie Oghuma Peter, Dr. Benson Ogala, and Mr. Iraoya Olarenwaju.