The recent demise of former super eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai has yet again raised the question about the life after retirement of many sports personalities
Focusing this article on retired super eagles players, some are in a stable financial state while some are not, some have died while struggling financially while some also died while in a better financial state
A lot has been said, accusations has been made about the neglect of ex internationals by the NFF and on many occasions the NFF has also denied these accusations, saying that they reached out to the said ex players with financial support, yet these stories keeps coming up,
who do we believe? maybe the money given to them didn’t meet their expectations i guess.
These accusations dates back to the demise of one of super eagles finest striker, Rashid Yekini who also struggled financial before his death, to the present day ex super eagles players who are currently struggling financially, the likes of Wilson Oruman who lost all his earnings to fraudster, Femi Opabunmi whose career was cut short due to eye problem, while the likes of Celestine Babayaro, Taribo West, Etim Esin and many others are also alleged to be going through financial struggles.
In a recent interview, super eagles ex player Sunday Olise shared an interesting take
He said “if you are lucky as a footballer, you will retire at 35, except for exceptional players like Messi and Ronaldo” he went on to ask if you retire at 35, how much would you have earned to carry you for the rest of your life? the only way to survive is to get yourself employed in the football sector and that the football sector in Nigeria is dead.
He further said that people believe that they earned so much during their era but that’s not the case, he said sometimes their bonuses from international duties is one thousand dollars or three thousand dollars he conclude.
So as a player, if you break in at the age of 20 as the case may be and retire at 35, you would have been active for 15 years, the question is, is 15 years enough for one to plan a future for himself? while it is for some, it’s not for some, while some enjoyed the fame and popularity with no plans for the future during their active years, some went on to secure their future by making meaningful investments including getting different FIFA and UEFA certification,
Today some are relying on help because of the choice they made, while some are leaving their best life as if they never retired, because of the choice they made
People like Michael Emenalo wasn’t among the most popular super eagles players in the USA 94 squad, but today he is a big name in world football because of the choice he made.
Did they really earn enough during their era? or was it a case of financial mistake on their part?
well according to Sunday Olise, their bonuses on international duties range from one thousand dollars to three thousand dollars aside club earnings,
So factor in inflation over the years you will imagine the value of their earnings at that time.
In conclusion a statement allegedly credited to former super eagles striker Brown Ideye read “Broke retired players should be jailed”
Do you agree with him or is he been too harsh?
The message to the current super eagles players is very clear, Invest in your future while you are still active, the choices and decisions you make today, you will live with tomorrow.
Ugochukwu Onwugbolu
