Former Nigerian U-17 World Cup winner Kingsley Udoh spoke frankly on Brila FM’s No Holds Barred about the struggles Nigerian players face due to unpaid wages.
Udoh, a talented central defender, won acclaim during Nigeria’s victorious 2007 U-17 World Cup campaign, where he played under Coach Theophilus Tella.
In his recent interview, Udoh praised Tella as a coach of integrity, contrasting Tella’s fair and bribe-free coaching style with other Nigerian football officials, whom he accuses of being the opposite.
“When Coach Tella coached us, he never asked for money or bribes. That kind of honesty is rare. In Nigerian football, some coaches take advantage of young players,” Udoh shared.
Udoh voiced frustration over what he described as a culture of corruption that pressures players and stifles potential. he also pointed to the precarious financial reality for many players in the Nigerian league, which he experienced firsthand.
“I still haven’t received six million in salary owed by Heartland,” he stated. “Kano Pillars owes me three months’ pay, and Sunshine Stars never paid me for four months.”
For Udoh, these financial uncertainties created a burden he never expected to face after representing Nigeria internationally.
He noted, “Our league should be a place where players can make a living, not just survive.”
Kingsley Udoh also highlighted issues with sports management in Nigeria, mentioning that many football agents prioritize their profits over the player’s welfare.
“Many agents focus on their pockets; finding one who cares is hard.”
He recounted how his career at Atletico Madrid was derailed due to his manager’s disagreements with the club, a setback that ultimately forced Udoh to abandon his dream of playing in Europe.
