For many Nigerian footballers, the medical room has not just been a checkpoint but a place where dreams were limited, and where lucrative transfers collapsed at the final hurdle.
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While a few Nigerian footballers, like Nwankwo Kanu, bounced back stronger, others were forced to take entirely different career paths after failing crucial fitness tests.

It was reports that Victor Boniface’s proposed move to AC Milan broke down this summer due to fitness concerns. According to BILD, the Bayer Leverkusen striker underwent four separate tests in Italy before Milan eventually pulled out of the deal.

Boniface has since returned to Germany, leaving uncertainty over his next move. The failed transfer once again highlights the delicate balance between talent and fitness in the high-stakes world of European football.

This is not a new story for Nigerian stars. Back in 1996, Nwankwo Kanu faced a far more frightening scenario when Inter Milan doctors discovered a life-threatening heart defect during his medical. Many thought his career was over, but surgery and sheer determination brought him back.

He would later shine at Arsenal, winning two Premier League titles and cementing his place as one of Africa’s greatest exports.

Other Nigerian footballers, however, never fully recovered from failed medicals. Tijani Babangida was on the verge of joining Turkish giants Fenerbahçe in 2000, but failed the stringent tests. Instead, he got on loan at Gençlerbirliği, where his career ended.

The same year, Dele Adebola’s dream of playing in Spain collapsed when Las Palmas rescinded his contract over medical concerns. Ironically, that setback rejuvenated his Birmingham City career, where he went on to help the club reach the 2001 League Cup Final before injuries caught up with him.

Seyi Olofinjana had his share of disappointment in 2004 when his Monaco move fell apart. Reflecting later, he said: “I think there was a misunderstanding after I had a medical, and as a result, I didn’t sign. But the club had a change of president, so perhaps it was political, I don’t know.” The setback turned into a blessing, as he later found success in England with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Meanwhile, David Oniya failed his medical at Uzbek side Neftchi Fergana in 2014, and while he later revived his career in Malaysia, tragedy struck a year later when he collapsed and died during a friendly match, aged just 30.

Romanus Orjinta, the former Enyimba captain, also saw his career derailed in 2007 when Zamalek pulled out of a deal after detecting health issues in his medical. Though he briefly revived his career in Nigeria, the move that could have elevated him to continental fame never materialised.

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Two-time Olympic medallist, Enefiok Udo-Obong, believes that past and present Nigerian athletes in different sports are entitled to respect and recognition from the country, against the idea of lifetime financial benefits.

Udo-Obong made this remark in the wake of comments by some Nigerian ex-football players, who berated the Nigeria Football Federation and the government for neglecting ex-players.

Former Super Eagles defenders, Taribo West and Austin Eguavoen, spoke at the service of songs for the late goalkeeper, condemning the government for abandoning Rufai.

The Nigeria Football Federation, however, released a statement to counter the claims of the ex-internationals.

“It is insulting for Austin Eguavoen to compare playing in the Super Eagles or any sportsman with a soldier. One lives a life of luxury and privilege, and the other lays down his life and privileges so that all can enjoy a life of privilege,” Udo-Obong wrote via Facebook.

“The nation owes no sportsman any favour. On the contrary, we owe the country for the opportunity and platform they have given us to flourish our talents and to live a life envious to the majority.

“All we deserve from the country and its leaders is respect and recognition for our hard work.”

Udo-Obong won two Olympic medals for Nigeria.

He anchored the men’s 4x400m relay team to gold at the Sydney 2000 Games and also won bronze in the same event at Athens 2004.

In 2024, he joined the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Athletics Development Programme as Technical Director.

He landed the job after a stiff competition with other experts from America, Britain and Australia.

Before then, the 43-year-old functioned at different capacities in Nigerian athletics. He was also prominent as the Technical Director of the Lagos State Athletics Association.

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A former Super Eagles striker, Brown Ideye, has denied media reports suggesting he called for retired footballers who end up broke to be jailed.

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner came under fire last week after a comment he made during an online debate was widely circulated by several outlets, with many accusing him of being insensitive to the plight of former Nigerian players.

In a statement released on Sunday, Ideye described the reports as false and a misrepresentation of his position.

“Let me be clear: These statements are completely false and misrepresent my views,” he said in the statement titled Setting the Record Straight.

The former West Bromwich Albion forward said his views have always centred on support for footballers and athletes, particularly in addressing the challenges they face after retirement.

“I would never suggest punitive action towards anyone who struggles financially or otherwise.

“Instead, I advocate for focus to be on offering all necessary support, resources, trainings and mentorship programmes to help players/athletes navigate the transition from sports to life after the game,” Ideye explained.

He added that conversations about the welfare of footballers should be approached with compassion, not condemnation.

“It’s important to approach these conversations with empathy and solutions, not condemnation,” he said.

The former Super Eagles star also condemned the reports as damaging to his character and urged the media to avoid false attributions.

“This article is misleading of my person and character, and I strongly condemn it.

“I urge the public to disregard it and ask for the media to desist from false claims and publications as such stories only bring disrepute and sow seeds of discord,” he said.

On social media, Ideye further warned against hasty conclusions and misinterpretations of his comments.

“School is not a scam, try to learn how to read and understand the whole story before jumping into conclusions,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

The controversy began days earlier after Ideye advised active footballers to start saving money early in their careers.

His advice came in response to ex-defender Taribo West’s emotional outburst at the burial of late goalkeeper Peter Rufai, where West accused football authorities of neglecting Nigerian legends.

During the online debate, Ideye encouraged players to be financially disciplined. “Footballers, start saving for your future from day one.

“No matter how small your salary is, put something aside for your retirement,” the former footballer wrote.

He also stressed the importance of having the right support system, noting that success after retirement depends on good people and a reliable partner.

But in response to a follower, Ideye had written: “They should be jailed for life if, after they retired from playing, they can’t feed themselves.”

The 34-year-old, who recently announced his retirement from international football, is one of Nigeria’s most experienced forwards, having represented the Super Eagles at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

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