Former Super Eagles midfielder Etim Esin has revealed how missing out on Nigeria’s 1994 World Cup squad pushed him into depression and drug abuse, describing the episode as the most painful moment of his career.
Once thought of as one of Africa’s most brilliant football players and tipped to propel Nigeria into a new era, Esin’s voyage went down a rough path when he was left out of Clemens Westerhof’s historic team. Nigeria made its first showing on the international scene during the tournament, so the oversight was even more difficult to bear.
Esin claimed the Letgo destroyed him psychologically and left him with difficulty managing the loss of a lifelong ambition. He confessed that the circumstances sent him into a gloomy place where he fought depression and turned to medicines as an outlet.
Beyond the World Cup failure, The News Chronicle gathered that a number of personal and professional obstacles had already damaged Esin’s formerly brilliant career, therefore increasing the emotional toll of his exclusion at a defining moment for Nigerian football.
Nigeria was surprised at the competition, even though they were not there; they reached the knockout round, then fell just to Italy. Still, Esin thinks his narrative mirrors bigger problems in the national football system, which he asserts keeps missing the mark.
He also criticized recent failings by the Nigeria Football Federation, advocated changes, and asked seasoned figures like Michael Emenalo and John Obi Mikel to help rebuild the national team.
