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

[FULL LIST] World Cup: Nigeria, Others Face Elimination

Published

12 hours ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

As African qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup heats up, Egypt and Morocco are edging closer to sealing their tickets to the global showpiece in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, while Nigeria’s hopes hang by a thread.

With four rounds of matches left, the race across the nine African groups is intensifying, leaving several giants at risk of missing out.

Below is the state of play across all groups:

Group A – Egypt in Command

Standings: Egypt lead Burkina Faso by five points.

Key Matches: Egypt vs Ethiopia; Burkina Faso vs Djibouti.

Outlook: Two wins could seal Egypt’s qualification.

Group B – Three-Way Battle

Standings: DR Congo, Senegal, and Sudan are split by one point.

Key Matches: Senegal host Sudan and face DR Congo; Sudan visit Togo.

Outlook: Sudan chase a maiden World Cup amid conflict at home.

Group C – Nigeria in Trouble

Standings: South Africa top with 13 points; Nigeria sit fourth with seven.

Key Matches: Nigeria host Rwanda, then face South Africa away.

Outlook: Nigeria must win both to stay alive. A ruling on South Africa’s alleged ineligible player could impact standings.

Group D – Cape Verde vs Cameroon

Standings: Cape Verde lead Cameroon by one point.

Key Matches: Cape Verde host Cameroon, then travel to Mauritius; Cameroon face Eswatini.

Outlook: Cape Verde eye historic qualification; Libya and Angola still lurking.

Group E – Morocco Poised for History

Standings: Morocco boast a perfect record (5 wins in 5).

Key Matches: Morocco play Niger and Zambia; Tanzania face Congo-Brazzaville.

Outlook: Atlas Lions could become Africa’s first confirmed qualifiers.

Group F – Ivory Coast vs Gabon

Standings: Ivory Coast one point ahead of Gabon.

Key Matches: Gabon host Ivory Coast; Ivory Coast face Burundi and Seychelles.

Outlook: A tight race between two resurgent sides.

Group G – Algeria Closing In

Standings: Algeria three points clear of Mozambique.

Key Matches: Algeria host Botswana, travel to Guinea; Mozambique meet Uganda and Botswana.

Outlook: Algeria well-placed but can’t slip up.

Group H – Tunisia in Control

Standings: Tunisia four points ahead of Namibia.

Key Matches: Tunisia vs Liberia; Tunisia vs Equatorial Guinea; Namibia face Malawi and Sao Tome.

Outlook: Tunisia could qualify early, but an Equatorial Guinea appeal looms.

Group I – Ghana Push for Redemption

Standings: Ghana lead by three points over Comoros; Mali trailing.

Key Matches: Ghana face Chad and Comoros; Comoros travel to Mali.

Outlook: Ghana could book qualification at home, making up for their AFCON 2025 failure.

Sports

13 Super Eagles Players Arrive Camp For World Cup Qualifiers

Published

1 day ago

September 2, 2025

Editor

The number of players in the Super Eagles’ camp has increased to 13, as Nigeria intensifies preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa.

This follows the arrival of nine more players at the team’s camp in Ikot Ikpene on Tuesday, according to Promise Efoghe, the team’s media officer.

The new arrivals include Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Ola Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Moses Simon, Chidozie Awaziem, Adebayo Adeleye, and Benjamin Fredericks.

They joined the quartet of William Troost-Ekong, Amas Obasogie, Felix Agu, and Raphael Onyedika, who checked into camp on Monday.

Efoghe confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria that out of the 23 players who were invited for the double-header fixtures, only 13 had arrived, with 10 more players still being expected.

“A total of 13 players are currently in camp, and we are expecting the rest of the squad to arrive later today and early tomorrow,” Efoghe said.

He also shared details of the team’s upcoming media engagements.

“There will be a press conference with the coaching staff and selected players on Wednesday at the training pitch of the Godswill Akpabio Stadium,” Efoghe stated.

“For Friday, the pre-match press conference will holbe held the same venue, and the first 15 minutes of the team’s training session will be open to media coverage.”

Players still beiexpected to be included arealkeeper Stanley Nwabali; defender Bruno Onyemaechi; midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka; and forwards Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Cyriel Dessers, Christantus Uche, and Tolu Arokodare.

Nigeria will host Rwanda on Friday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, in a Matchday 7 fixture. They will then travel to Bloemfontein to face South Africa on Monday, in a Matchday 8 encounter.

The Super Eagles currently sit third in Group C of the African qualifiers with two points from two matches, behind leaders South Africa (four points) and Rwanda (also four points but with an inferior goal difference).

Only the top team in the group will qualify automatically for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Full 23-Man Squad:

Goalkeepers:

Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa);

Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania);

Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece).

Defenders:

William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia);

Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England);

Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England);

Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England);

Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece);

Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes, France);

Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany);

Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium).

Midfielders:

Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England);

Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England);

Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, Turkey);

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio, Italy);

Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium);

Christantus Uche (Getafe, Spain).

Forwards:

Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy);

Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy);

Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey);

Moses Simon (Paris FC, France);

Cyriel Dessers (Rangers, Scotland);

Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium).

(NAN)

Sports

JUST IN: Ofili Confirms Turkey Switch

Published

2 days ago

September 1, 2025

Editor

Nigeria sprinter, Favour Ofili, has confirmed she is switching allegiance to Turkey, bringing an end to her long-running fued with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, according to The PUNCH.

Reflecting on the move in a post via her Instagram page on Monday, Ofili said her decision followed months of reflection after a turbulent cycle in which she felt let down by the Nigerian federation.

She explained that while she was proud of her career in Nigerian colours, repeated disappointments had left her with little choice.

“Wrapping up my 2025 season has been a whirlwind of new experiences and big decisions.

“As some of you have heard, I’m also starting a new chapter representing Turkey.

“I am proud to have represented Nigeria for many years in a highly successful way, having won six gold medals, two silver medals and two bronze medals in championship meets and reaching the Olympic 200 metres final,” she said.

Ofili added that neglect from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria and the Nigerian Olympic Committee, particularly during the Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games, had contributed to her decision.

She stressed, however, that her switch was not financially motivated.

“While that means sitting out this year’s championships in Tokyo, this change comes from the heart, not from financial motives.

“I’m truly grateful to have discovered a new home in Turkey, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.

“I also appreciate the support I got from my coach, agent, sponsor and loved ones during this difficult time,” she said.

Her announcement comes after the president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Tonobok Okowa, admitted the federation was struggling to prevent the exodus of elite athletes due to poor funding.

He confirmed Ofili’s switch during the National Athletics Championships in Lagos, warning that more athletes could follow suit unless urgent financial support arrived.

Okowa said countries like Turkey had stepped up efforts to recruit foreign talent, offering substantial incentives.

“The kind of money they put on the table to get her is not something many athletes would refuse.

“That is why we are pleading with Nigeria as a nation and our government to come out and support us, so we don’t keep losing our athletes,” he said.

Ofili’s decision mirrors previous high-profile departures, including Francis Obikwelu, Gloria Alozie and Femi Ogunode, who also left Nigeria to represent other nations.

Ofili will sit out the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo as she completes the switch, before beginning the next phase of her career in Turkish colours.