Nigerian former national team dazzler, Etim John Esin has come out with a startling confession that his biggest regret in life is that he could not play at the FIFA World Cup.
Sports247.ng reports that the best Etim got on the global stage was starring for Nigeria’s junior national team, Flying Eagles, at Chile ’87 FIFA U20 World Cup, but he laments missing the senior squad’s outing at USA ’94.
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Although reports at that time blamed his absence from Nigeria’s pioneer World Cup squad on a rape case he had in Belgium, ‘Etim 10’ alleged that it was caused by the coach, Clemens Westerhof.
The ex-international attacking midfielder, who was fondly called ‘Maradona of Africa,’ felt he could have been at USA ’94 with Nigeria’s golden generation if only Westerhof had overlooked the rape issue and based his selections solely on football matters.
However, Etim, who is now a counsellor on discipline issues and an advocate for corrective efforts to protect budding talents, put the genesis of his woes down to his errant character in those days.
He admitted, “One thing that pains me in life is that I regret not playing in the World Cup … I could not play at the senior global stage.
“Why did it happen? Just because of indiscipline. I have to say it repeatedly … indiscipline can cause you a lot.”
He then turned his focus fully on the team’s coach, saying: “If I had been in Westerhof’s good book, I would have made it to the World Cup.
“That’s why I say a coach can make you and a coach can break you.
“Westerhof knew that FIFA didn’t ban me. I had a different issue … which was a rape case in Belgium.
“Though Abiola tried to help me sort it out … he sent money, paid lawyers … the coach still refused.
“He told Aikhomu, Abiola and other officials that FIFA banned me. So, he stopped me from going to the World Cup.”
Etim further averred that the top form he displayed before the rape issue caused his unceremonious exit from Belgium should have swayed Westerhof to include him in the Eagles’ maiden squad to God’s Own Country.
“At that time, 90% of that USA ’94 team players were based in Belgium, where I was playing before the rape issue. So, why couldn’t I have been among them?
“Peter Rufai told me afterwards that Diego Maradona asked him, ‘Where is your own Maradona?’
“I should have been there, but Westerhof stopped me,” Etim alleged heatedly
