Former Nigeria international, Etin Esin, clocked 50 on Tuesday.
The one-time charismatic attacking midfielder who made six appearances for the Super Eagles, featured for Belgian sides, AA Gent and Lokeren as well domestically with Heartland and Calabar Rovers.
Esin was one of the brightest and most talented players to have ever come out of the West African nation, but his career was blighted by endless controversies.
Here are four of them.
- Shot by armed robbers
Esin was shot by armed robbers on the eve of Nigeria’s participation at the 1987 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile. Aged 18 at that time, the player sneaked out of the Flying Eagles training camp in Surulere, Lagos, only to be attacked by robbers.
- Involved in drugs
Aside his ordeal with armed robbers, Esin’s bright career was abruptly cut short due to his involvement in drugs.
“There were many problems that worked against my career as a footballer, first, I was involved in a drug case,” the ex-midfield maestro told Vanguard in 2012.
- Caught up in rape scandal
While in Belgium, Esin was at the centre of a rape scandal involving a minor. This led to a serious court case with the country’s authorities which almost cost him his career.
He recalled his ordeal: “My girlfriend then was a minor, 16 years or so, I didn’t know that she was just that age. We were naive about things like that then.”
- Addicted to smoking
Esin was not just involved in drugs but was a chronic chain smoker.
“I smoke at my convenience but I want to stop smoking. For drinking, I’m not a drunk,” the former midfielder told The Cable.
