During their active years, they earned large sums of foreign currency in various denominations, that spanned many years from Europe to Asia but they most probably did not plan very well for life after their retirement forgetting that a football career could end almost as soon it started. They flew in private jets and rode the best cars at the heights of their careers and bought things without batting an eyelid. This list is not exhaustive though of some of the players are trying to regain their footing after some of their investments went bankrupt

Celestine Babayaro:

The former Super Eagles star and most probably the best cultured left-back that has feature for Nigeria, played for some of the biggest clubs in both England and Belgium. He declared himself bankrupt at a court in Croydon in 2011. At a time in his career, Celestine, was amongst the highest paid African players in the world as he earned between £25,000 and $30,000 per week at Chelsea FC of England. He was reported to have lived an expensive lifestyle both in Nigeria and England. Stories aboved of how he blew thousands of pounds in buying exotic items and also partied hard with friends. Celestine’s financial troubles became apparent to his neighbours, with one saying that his usually beautifully kept house began to look a bit unkempt, with the garden overgrowing and the conservatory falling down.” He was part of the Nigeria’s Dream Team 1 that won the Atlanta Olympics soccer gold medal in 1996. The Former Chelsea and Newcastle full-back, in spite of earning £25,000 during the peak of his career, was declared bankrupt by a court in Croydon in 2010, after being charged by creditors. A final confirmation of his insolvency was made known in 2011.

Ifeanyi Udeze:

Ifeanyi Udeze, the explosive Super Eagles’ left-back was a key member of the national team between 2000 and 2004 after graduating from the victorious Golden Eaglets. Sadly, fortune took a downward turn for Udeze as sources close to him revealed that the former World Cup star is neck deep in debt after squandering the substantial fortune he gained during his playing days on high stake gambling and other luxuries. Udeze who featured for AEK Athens, PAOK FC, and West Brom while active, is also said to have a particular preference for locally manufactured gin and he can also been seen indulging in street gambling with some undesirable elements around the neighbourhood he grew up in Ajegunle.

Taribo West:

Former Super Eagles defender, Taribo West, is perhaps the most successful Nigerian centre-back in history. At the height of his career, he was regarded as one of the best defenders in Europe and was a key member of the Inter Milan squad between 1997 and 1999 and was also part of the victorious Olympic gold winning dream team side in 1996. Despite featuring for top sides in Europe such as AC Milan, Derby County, Kaiserslautern, Partizan and a brief spell in the Middle East with Qatari side, Al-Arabi Doha, Taribo is said to be in financial deep waters as the millions he made during his playing days seems to have been washed away. He also made a bad investment in his marriage but now can be seen In Lagos trying his hands in winning souls for God a vocation he undertook towards the end of his career.

Victor Agali:

Victor Agali formed a formidable striking partnership with Nwankwo Kanu which was fondly dubbed the ‘Twin Towers’. The tall and lanky forward was particular loved by Super Eagles fans due to his proficiency in aerial duels. His tall physique and his imposing stature saw him lace his boots for top European sides such as Olympique Marseille, Hansa Rostock, Schalke 04, and Nice. However, sources close to the player revealed that the former Super Eagles star is not doing too well financially. Apparently, despite earning an average pay of £25, 000 per week while in Germany, some failed investments and a clearly lavish lifestyle has seen him scrapping financially.

Chikelue Iloenyosi:

Chikelue Iloenyosi may not be up to the pedigree of players mentioned earlier in terms of achievement, but he did made a career playing football and quite a profitable one at that. He was part of the national U-20 side that featured in the World Youth Championship in Nigeria in 1999. He also won four caps with the Super Eagles. He is famous for his marriage to Nollywood star, Stephenie Okereke that was annulled by a Lagos court after it was discovered that he was legally married to another woman in the United States at the time he took Stephenie to the altar. However, despite featuring for clubs in Turkey, Libya, Australia and Saudi Arabia, Iloenyosi is not doing too well financially at present. Sources claim that the defender has delved into fashion designing with a keen interest in men’s clothing. He has also been seen several times giving morale supports to sports project initiated by billionaire club proprietor, Ifeanyi Ubah.

Etim Esin:

He was clearly one of the richest African players in his active days before he ran into trouble in Belgium. He was renowned to have driven two customized cars built to his taste. On visits to Nigeria, from his club in Europe, he retained a permanent suite at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja. But when he went bankrupt, one of his customized BMW cars was seized by the hotel as he was unable to pay bills. Later on, he was seen around national team camps moving from one room to the other after Super Eagles matches tasking the players to give him money to sustain himself. He is gradually coming back to reckoning as he married an African diplomat who he has kept out of public glare. They live quietly in Surulere, Lagos.

https://newtelegraphonline.com/2017/06/millionaire-nigerian-players-went-bankrupt/

Karma caught up with taribo west.He lied grievously about his age. How can you be 42 years,and lied to your club that you are 27.He is seriously mean

I do not totally agree because back then there was no money in football unlike now.Even teenage players like Rashford, Lingard etc earn more than that $30,0000 sef not even pounds.

Taribo made money, the only thing left now is his huge mansion in Lagos.

My uncle played with him and used to gist us about him.
He got to Europe and told the coach to sack whoever is playing his position, that he (Taribo) has arrived. It was that singular act of confidence that got him signed.

look at the kind of topics that should make front page. Go to front page now and see the kind of topics there. SMH

What about femi opabunmi

What about
Mobi oparaku
Godwin opara
Rashidi yekini
Philip osondu