Former Nigerian international goalkeeper Idah Peterside has recently spoken about the significant challenges he faced after retiring from professional football, particularly focusing on the emotional struggles following his wife leaving him.
Peterside, who retired in 2002, transitioned to a new career as a television pundit with SuperSport and also founded a church, dedicating himself to evangelism.
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However, during this pivotal period, his first wife left him, leading to a profound personal crisis.
He candidly shared that the shame and emotional pain of his wife’s departure nearly drove him to take his own life, highlighting the mental health struggles many athletes face when transitioning to life after sports.
Peterside found strength and solace in his faith, which helped him overcome this difficult phase.
“Only God saw me through. I look back today and am very grateful to God,” Peterside wrote on his X page.
Now serving as the pastor of Christ Ambassadors Church in South Africa, Peterside has found new passions outside of football, channelling his experiences into positive pursuits that reignited his enthusiasm for life
