The Nation Newspaper

Tag: TARIBO

  • Taribo, Edafe, Akande light up minds at Footballers Connect

    Former Super Eagles defender Taribo West, Eseoghene Matthew Edafe and Hong Kong international Alexander Tayo Akande lit up several minds with their experiences at the maiden edition of Footballers Connect, an initiative of Hay Sports.

    NationSport reports that Footballers Connect is an event aimed at bridging the gap between up and coming footballers, professionals and ex-internationals.

    Over 200 young footballers, coaches and administrators were thrilled by the experiences of the speakers who shared stories about their travails and success.

    Former Nigeria defender Taribo West revealed that he was a victim of slave contract for close to a decade of his football career.

    “I played in Auxerre for free,” Taribo West said. I was playing under a contract for five years without knowing the contents and conditions binding the contract.

    The ex-Inter Milan and AC Milan defensive trojan stated that he never understood what he signed as it was written in French which saw him perform in unbearable condition, despite being a cog member of the Ligue 1 outfit.

    He advised that every footballer should ensure they are properly represented while signing professional contracts else they fall victim.

    “After the third year, Arsenal, Juventus, Glasgow Rangers and Sevilla Betis came for me,” he added.

    “I went to the coach starting that I wanted to leave but he sat me down and showed me my contract terms with Auxerre. I saw the details of what I had signed. Where my fellow defenders were earning as high as 120,000 French Francs, I was going home with 3000 French Francs.

    “I wanted to set Auxerre on fire that day. Immediately, I called my manager who was turning me left and right [while] enjoying himself in Senegal.”

    He continued: “One day I went to see my coach after training where I met a certain manager who told me about five clubs were interested in signing me up. On the table I saw Arsenal, Juventus, Glasgow Rangers, Betis, Sevilla and Inter Milan.

    “He began to make calls and Inter was the destination,  I signed the contract papers without knowing its content yet again.”

    Taribo West further revealed that while he was working hard on the field of play, with false stories of his lavish lifestyle in the media, it was his manager who was smiling to the bank.

    He, however, urged young footballers to always seek professional help, especially before making decisions.

    Also speaking at the event was ex-footballer turned sports broadcaster, Eseoghene Matthew Edafe who strongly advised that aspiring footballers and their clubs must begin to take seriously how they interact with the conventional media, and the social media.

    He explained that players must understand that the media is a powerful tool which can either make or mar their careers.

    While addressing grassroots club owners, he urged that they make insurance of their players a pivotal part of the developmental process in a bid to secure the future of youngsters.

    Yabian Fude striker Alexander Tayo Akande, on his part, revealed in details how he moved from Nigeria to Asia, rose through adversity with hard work to becoming a cog member of the Hong Kong senior national team.

    Amos Joseph, Strategist for Hay Sports and convener of Footballers Connect added: “We wanted to show people that there is a lot happening in the football space unaddressed and these are affecting young players in their quest to becoming professionals, and seeking greener pastures. It was great to bring the guests along to help us reveal these things”

    One of the beneficiaries, Enitan Ajayi said: “This is a message all footballers must hear. Imagine Taribo’s story despite playing at that level, he still fell victim of slave contract.”

    According to Hay Sports, organisers of Footballers Connect, the next edition of the event is scheduled for the first quarter of 2019.

  • TARIBO WEST: Taribo: I’m alive

    TARIBO WEST: Taribo: I’m alive

    Former Super Eagles defender Taribo West on Friday evening described those who paddled the rumour of his death as liars including the ‘devilish mother-in-law’.

    Stunned by the calls he received from Nigerians, who were eager to confirm his health status, West said: “I will live for another 100 years. The 50 more years that you have wished me will be doubled in Jesus’ Mighty name, Amen.

    “I will be at the Agege Stadium in Lagos to watch MFM FC against Ifeanyi Ubah FC. I have called the club’s proprietor to keep my jersey. I’m a staunch supporter of Ifeanyi Ubah.”

    “I’m alive. Shame to the devil and others who wished me dead. I’m grateful to all of you,” he added.

    “All these calls don make me get all una contacts. Don’t mind dem. Na dem go enter grave ooo!

  • Taribo blasts ‘poor’ Dream Team defense

    Taribo blasts ‘poor’ Dream Team defense

    Former Super Eagles defender, Taribo West has expressed concern with the defensive unit of the Nigerian U-23, as they continue their participation at the CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    The Dream Team VI almost lost a three-goal lead against Mali in their first game, eventually winning 3-2, but would go on to squander a two-goal lead against Egypt in the second game to draw 2-2.

    Speaking on the team’s performances so far, he said it is frustrating to see the attackers scoring, but the defenders conceding.

    “It almost looks like they don’t have defense,” Taribo said of the team’s poor defending in the tournament so far.

    “It is frustrating that the strikers make efforts to score goals and at the end of the day, the defenders just allow the opponents equalize,” he said ruefully.

    The former AC Milan and Inter Milan of Italy defender went on to blast the defenders, saying they have been ‘too poor’ in the tournament.

    “The defenders have been too poor. They have allowed opponents get into games and that is just poor, the defense is too poor,” he stressed.

    Taribo was a member of the gold winning Atlanta ’96 U23 squad that was christened ‘The Dream Team’.

     

     

  • TARIBO: Give Keshi another chance

    TARIBO: Give Keshi another chance

    Former Super Eagles defender Taribo West talks to SL10.ng on the recent developments in Nigerian football; the election of Amaju Pinnick as the new NFF President, the issue of Kelechi Iheanacho being called to the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi’s future and also the AFCON qualifiers against Sudan. Enjoy.

    Pastor thank you for talking to us on SL10.ng today. Let’s start by talking about the election of Amaju Pinnick as the new NFF President. You were there on the day, and you know the man. What should Nigerians be expecting from the new NFF?

    I believe it will be a new dispensation, it’s like a fresh revolution that has just started. He has ideas and incredible concepts in football administration. It is a new era and we also look forward to how he will solve the issues that has bedeviled Nigerian football over the last years. He also has to give active roles to the practitioners of the game, both the present and past ones. But I think with him coming as the President of the NFF, I think he will be the Joshua that will take us to the Promised Land.

     

    How do you think this will impact on Nigeria’s chances against Sudan in the AFCON qualifiers this month because the controversies during the first phase was attributed to have contributed to Nigeria’s solitary point from a possible six?

    Yes. It will be a great advantage for us because the problems we had affected the players in those games against Congo and South Africa. It will be a morale booster and an advantage for the players, unlike the psychological disadvantage they had in the first games. I think it will help us see out the next two games, I see positive things.

     

    The Super Eagles will take on Sudan in a double header in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier this month, some people did attribute the recent troubles in the NFF as one of the major factors to why the current African champions have struggled in their last two outings where they lost at home and drew away in South Africa. Now do you think with a new board in the NFF things will change for the better?

    Yes it’s a great advantage. Psychologically the problems at the NFF affected the boys. This new development will motivate the team and most importantly see Nigeria through the games with Sudan.

     

    As regards Keshi’s future do you think he should be allowed to continue or should the NFF seek another expert?

    I think Keshi should be given another chance, the last twenty years hasn’t been easy. Nigeria didn’t do well at the AFCON but he led the team to lift the trophy. He has done better than every other indigenous coaches and that only shows he’s got something working well for him. I strongly feel Keshi should be retained considering that Amaju Pinnick is coming in, there will soon be a new look Super Eagles that will take Nigeria to that level Nigerians want to see the Super Eagles.

     

    In your time we had lots of quality defenders but it looked like we don’t have such quality again in the Super Eagles, are you concerned about that?

    hmmmmm, yeah, I’m concerned but I think Keshi is equal to the task. He is a strong defender but to be realistic the generation has changed but he his playing with the best option he has. I must say that there’s a lot of quality in the Golden Eaglets that won the FIFA World Cup in UAE and feel some of them should be given a chance with the senior national team.

     

    Amaju Pinnick has shown over the years with his impact at the state level, that he is passionate and committed, but what advice do you have for the new NFF president?

    Focus, commitment and discipline. What I saw and heard from him during the election process tells more about the quality he’ll bring to the table.

     

    The Super Eagles won the AFCON and  got to the round of 16 at the World Cup but the same team having at least 70% of those that made the World Cup team lost at home and struggled in South Africa during the qualifiers, what do you think about that?

    This is an attack, it comes every now and then. Especially when we are about to take part in the World Cup, so I think it has come and gone.

     

    So you mean Nigeria will qualify for the Nations Cup?

    Yes, Nigeria will qualify. Though we are walking on a tight rope but I’m optimistic Nigeria will qualify for a Morocco 2015.

     

    Keshi recently said he’s using what he has, but does that mean Nigeria doesn’t have enough talent for the national team or is it a case of him not looking enough?

    I know every coach has his own kind of philosophy and I believe the way the domestic league has been managed can even discourage a coach to go out to search for talent. It’s not that he is lazy but I believe that now that Amaju Pinncik who understands proper development of the game is the NFF, a change is about to be experienced.

     

    You mentioned earlier that the Golden Eaglets class of 2013 has a lot of quality in it. One player that easily comes to mind is Kelechi Iheanacho, do you think the young man deserves a call up to the Super Eagles considering that the Eagles have struggled in the creative midfield department?

    Yes I agree totally because the Eagles have not been so creative lately especially at the last World Cup and AFCON qualifying matches we played. So because of this, I think Iheanacho must be invited to the Super Eagles to fight for a position, and every other young player coming through that have shown they have what it takes. Mikel has been doing fine, but not enough creatively so I think Iheanacho must be called up to the team.

     

    Thank you very much pastor…

    God bless you.

  • I was better than Maldini – Taribo West

    I was better than Maldini – Taribo West

    Former AC Milan defender Taribo West believes he was better than club legend Paolo Maldini, but was treated unfairly by the Italian side.

    In one season with the Serie A outfit, the former Nigeria international appeared in just four games, despite his self-proclaimed status as the club’s best defender.

    West remains bitter about his time at San Siro and has suggested that his short spell with the Rossoneri was a failure because of Maldini’s “godfather” status.

    “There were three of us, but the coach would pick the Italians even though I was clearly the best,” he told Supersport.com.

    “In 2000, I played the African Nations Cup with Nigeria and when I returned Maldini was injured. I played the games in his place but I did not get very many.

    “I was told clearly that nobody could force out Maldini because he was a godfather in the club.”

    West was forced to take a seat on the bench while watching Maldini and Alessandro Costacurta start regularly, which the former Inter defender claims was because of their Italian backgrounds.

    “Because I had a good relationship with [Inter president Massimo Moratti], I called him to tell him what was going on,” he continued. “He told me that at AC Milan this was a normal thing.

    “No one could take the place of Maldini. I was in shock. At the time they told so many lies about me because they wanted me out.

    “During the four games I played, I was always the best player on the field, yet my contract was not renewed.”

  • TARIBO AGE SCANDAL Ex Inter coach drops another bombshell

    TARIBO AGE SCANDAL Ex Inter coach drops another bombshell

    THE controversy surrounding the age of former Nigerian defender, Taribo West, was further expanded on Saturday, following another shocking claim by his former coach at Italian side, Inter Milan.

    Mircea Lucescu, who was the coach when Taribo played at Inter, has said he is not entirely surprised at claims that the Olympic gold medalist lied about his age, claiming that Taribo was uncoordinated and used to fall over in training, and the other players used to laugh at him.

    Partizan Belgrade had claimed they discovered Nigerian defender West was 12 years older than he said he was when signing for them. He was at Inter from 1997 to 1999, then moved to Milan where he managed only four appearances. “West was not an important player for me. He was so uncoordinated he’d fall over and we all laughed. I didn’t have a good rapport with West and I wouldn’t play him after he threw his jersey on the ground against Vicenza,” Lucescu said of the 1998-99 campaign.

    “I did not consider him to be an important player. He then went to Milan, I can’t figure out why. You’d have to ask Milan why they signed him….

    “When I read the story about his age I couldn’t believe it, as 12 years is a lot. How did they manage to not realise earlier?”