Ben Iroha, Okocha, Kanu: 7 Super Eagles stars who built successful lives after football

Football gave several Super Eagles heroes some of the biggest moments of their lives but their smartest move came before their final game, Afrik-Foot reports.

A player can go from earning well and playing in packed stadiums to having no match income within a few years.

Interestingly, several stars from Nigeria’s golden football generation refused to let retirement become the end of their story. They invested in property, built businesses, entered coaching, started foundations or moved into completely different careers.

Here are seven Super Eagles legends who found different ways to succeed after football.

Super Eagles stars after football

Ben Iroha: From USA ’94 hero to Dallas businessman

Iroha’s post-football journey started with a decision made while he was still a player. The former full-back had already thought about that moment long before he stopped playing.

After Nigeria’s famous 3-0 win over Bulgaria at the 1994 World Cup in Dallas, the former Super Eagles defender decided Texas was where he wanted his future to be. He eventually bought a home there before retirement and built a new life around business and family.

Today, he operates a car and spare-parts business in Dallas and remains one of the wealthiest of that golden generation.

Jay-Jay Okocha: The investment lesson that started in his 20s

Okocha did not wait until retirement to think about life after football. The former Super Eagles captain revealed that he started buying property when he was only about 23 or 24.

His approach was straightforward. He used money from his contracts to acquire assets, while treating bonuses differently. That early discipline gave him investments to fall back on after a career that included spells at Eintracht Frankfurt, Fenerbahce, Paris Saint-Germain, Bolton Wanderers and Hull City.

Nwankwo Kanu: The footballer who turned his heart condition into a mission

Kanu’s second chapter has helped children far beyond the football pitch. After undergoing heart surgery, he established the Kanu Heart Foundation in 2000 to help children with similar heart problems.

The foundation says it has helped 538 children receive open-heart surgery. Kanu has also moved into business, including hospitality, giving him both a social-impact project and commercial interests after his playing career.

The former Arsenal and Inter Milan forward is currently the chairman of two-time African champions, Enyimba International.

Daniel Amokachi: The Bull found another role in football

Amokachi did not walk away from the game after retiring. The former Everton striker moved into coaching, punditry and football administration.

His profile has also grown outside traditional football roles. The former Super Eagles assistant now serves as brand ambassador to a few Nigerian companies, with partnerships connected to grassroots football and community programmes.

Sunday Oliseh: From midfield general to football scholar

Oliseh took a different route. Rather than simply trading on his reputation as a former international, he invested in football education and coaching.

After ending his playing career in 2006, he pursued further studies and obtained the UEFA Pro Licence. He later worked with FIFA’s Technical Study Group and coached Nigeria and Dutch club Fortuna Sittard.

Taribo West: The defender who found a new calling

Taribo’s life after football took him far away from the dressing room. The former Inter Milan and AC Milan defender entered Christian ministry and founded Shelter in the Storm Miracle Ministries of All Nation in Lagos.

The move gave the colourful former Nigeria defender a completely different public role after his playing days ended.

John Mikel Obi: Building the business side before retirement

Mikel was already thinking beyond football while he was still playing. In 2018, the former Chelsea midfielder spoke about his business interests and partnerships with professional advisers.

He also planned youth-focused projects through the Mikel Obi Foundation. After winning the Champions League, Premier League, AFCON and other major honours, Mikel’s next challenge was building something that could outlive his playing career.