Former Nigeria international, Ifeanyi Udeze, has opened up on why legendary defender Taribo West wept bitterly after the Super Eagles lost to Sweden at the Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup.
The Eagles suffered a 2-1 defeat in their second group game against Sweden despite taking the lead.
Julius Aghahowa gave the Eagles the lead before a brace from Henrik Larsson secured the win for the Swedes.
The defeat ended the Eagles’ campaign as it was their second defeat in the group after they had lost 1-0 to Argentina in their opening fixture.
Also Read: Chelsea French Stars Unfollow Fernandez On Social Media Over Racist Chants By Argentina
Taribo, who got injured in the game against Sweden and had his jersey stained with blood, wept uncontrollably after the game.
Reminiscing on the encounter Udeze, a member of the Eagles squad at the 2002 World Cup, disclosed why Taribo was unconsolable after the game.
“I stood close to him, he was just crying,” Udeze said on Brila FM. “He was saying why should the Eagles crash out so early in the tournament.”
Udeze also said Taribo refused to be substituted after suffering the injury.
“He refused to be replaced and told the coach he wants to continue playing despite the serious injury.”
In their final group game, the Eagles held a star-studded England side to a 0-0 draw which saw a young Vincent Enyeama who made a world class save off a long a strike from Paul Scholes.
Other top stars who featured for England against the Eagles are David Beckham, Michael Owen, Ashley Cole, David Seaman, Sol Campbell, Nicky Butt, Teddy Sheringham and Rio Ferdinand.
7 Comments
These are passionate players not that idiot wey dem dey call OSIMHEN wey small injury him come dey select match wey him go play then go club go dey dance ATILOGU….
Osimhen has been forgiven let’s move on and not destroy him since you know CS is read by majority. I hope he also turns a new leaf and focus on his finishing.
oya cantinue nau – bad belle ghanaian lolz – everytings is just dropping straaite back onn you and your family heads lolz mumu- oya continue yeye is smelling lolz – we ghanaians will never never do well in this life if we continued to hate on innocents mscheew
It’s not only the loss that made Taribo cry.
Nonpayment of match bonuses was also responsible for the tears.
Tears of anger and frustration because of nonpayment of bonuses.
NFF ONIGBESE aka NFF ONYE JI UGWO made so many players cry back then.
Players are still crying today over this issue.
How will players not cry, when you’re owing them months, perhaps even years of bonuses?
Who do we believe now, an eye witness (Udeze) or you speculating?
Bro, I hail you!
Hahaha, Alex my man, the more you look, the less you see!
this kind of person should be the NFF president! It is only in Naija that the mechanic is a doctor!!