“Went into drugs” – Why World Cup absence wrecked former Super Eagles midfielder

Former Super Eagles and Gent midfielder Etim Esin John has revealed that his absence from Nigeria’s 1994 FIFA World Cup squad led him to substance addiction, Afrik Foot reports.

An attacking midfielder in his days, Esin featured in six World Cup qualifying games as the Super Eagles secured a first Mundial showdown in USA 94.

However, things got complicated when he got involved in a rape case scandal in Belgium at the time, leading to a FIFA ban, and as such, he was ruled out of the 1994 World Cup.

Etim Esin explains Super Eagles World Cup heartbreak

When the incident happened, he was sent on trial to Benfica, who pulled out of the deal when the news spread about his sexual involvement with a 16-year-old lady.

Presidential candidate at that time, M.K.O Abiola, stepped in to assist Esin with financial aid to back him up legally, but wasn’t alive for much longer.

The talented midfielder would eventually be proven innocent some 25 years later, but it was already too late.

“My greatest regret was not playing at the World Cup. That led me to a lot of depression. I nearly committed suicide because I had a dream [of playing at the World Cup],” the 59-year-old said on the Playzone podcast.

“Abiola promised me if I win the election, you will captain the team to the World Cup. You know this life in a split second can just turn around. Abiola was locked up. World Cup was the only dream I had.

“Even the late Peter Rufai, because he captained the team against Argentina, asked where the African Maradona was. So, you can imagine how it was very painful for me at that time.

“That’s why I went into drugs. I was so depressed that I went into drugs, I was taking cocaine,” the ex-Kayserispor man continued.

Etim Esin also owned up to his faults, claiming his promiscuosity was what subsequently ended his career in Europe, although he was severely warned by the late Stephen Keshi.