At the memorial service for the late goalie Peter Rufai, former Super Eagles defender Taribo West critically assessed Nigerian football, saying he would never encourage his son to represent his nation.
Speaking tearfully during the service, West bemoaned what he called the ongoing disregard, subpar treatment, and lack of recognition that Nigerian athletes endured both during and after their careers.
He reflected on the hardships that many former internationals, especially Stephen Keshi, Thomson Oliha, and Rashidi Yekini, faced (before they passed on) despite their sacrifices for their country.
The former Inter Milan player, in an emotional speech, blasted the Nigerian Football Association and Lagos State for failing to provide for the late football legend’s family.
According to Taribo, the neglect caused him so much agony that he broke down in tears and developed “goose pimples” all over his body, something he didn’t do when his own parents passed away.
He said, “With this kind of example, I will never advise even my son to put his feet for this country… Do we have a football federation or a football association in Lagos State? That this hero, this soldier, this football evangelist has to be treated this way, and his family?”
