Sports

5 Former Super Eagles Players Who Became Pastors[PHOTOS]

Published

2 years 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

UCL, EPL: Petr Cech Advises Chelsea On How To Win Trophies

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Chelsea legend, Petr Cech, has advised his old club on how to win the UEFA Champions League or the English Premier League.

Chelsea are already out of the Premier League title race this season, and they are at risk of missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification for next season because they are currently not in the ninth position on the Premier League table.

Speaking to The Athletic about Chelsea, Cech said that the Blues need to change their philosophy of signing only young players if they want to win the Premier League or Champions League.

According to the former goalkeeper, the Premier League west London club needs to add experienced players to mentor the young players in the squad.

“You have to look at what you want to achieve. You can have young, talented players, and you can win, but it’s very rare that you manage to do that,” he said.

“If you want to win every season and compete every season, that does not go together.

“You have to change your philosophy. Certain things don’t go together because, in order to win a Champions League or a Premier League… these are really tough competitions, and you have to be consistent.

“You need to have a strong core of the team. And then you can bring young, talented players who will grow faster and then will be held by the experienced players to help navigate them through difficult times when they come.”

Currently, Chelsea have just one player, Tosin Adarabioyo, who is over 28 this season, and the defender has not been playing regularly.

Sports

Enabulele Lauds Okpebholo’s Bold Reforms As Edo Sports Witnesses Revival

Published

5 days ago

April 30, 2026

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for what he described as a bold and transformative approach to sports development.

Speaking on efforts to reposition sports in the state, Enabulele noted that with Okpebholo’s visionary leadership, the sector has witnessed renewed growth.

In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, the Edo Sports Commission boss attributed the progress to the governor’s strategic policies and sustained commitment to youth development, which he said have laid the foundation for a more structured and results-driven system.

“His Excellency has demonstrated clear vision and genuine commitment to sports development. The level of support we are receiving has significantly repositioned Edo as a competitive force in national sporting events,” he said.

He explained that targeted investments in grassroots development are already producing results, with a growing number of young talents being identified and nurtured across multiple disciplines.

“We are deliberately building from the grassroots. A large percentage of our athletes today are homegrown, which speaks to the sustainability of our development model,” Enabulele added.

The Commission, he noted, is also shifting away from an over-reliance on football to a broader multi-sport focus.

Edo State, he said, is now recording improved performances in athletics, combat sports, and other emerging areas.

“Our goal is to strengthen all sports. The results are beginning to show across different disciplines, and this is only the start,” he said.

Enabulele further pointed to ongoing improvements in sports infrastructure and athlete welfare as critical factors in sustaining performance and encouraging wider participation among young people.

“We are building a system that will endure. With the continued support of the governor, Edo is on course to becoming a dominant force in sports at both national and international levels,” he stated.

He expressed confidence that the current momentum would translate into greater achievements for Edo athletes, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to excellence, discipline, and long-term development.