Etim Esin Says 1994 World Cup Snub Led to Cocaine Addiction

Former Super Eagles midfielder Etim Esin has revealed that being left out of Nigeria’s squad for the 1994 World Cup nearly destroyed him. He told the Play Zone Podcast that the disappointment triggered a deep depression. He struggled so badly that he turned to cocaine just to cope. Esin said his biggest regret was missing the tournament. He recalled being told by late leader MKO Abiola that he might even captain the team. When that hope died, he felt his world collapse. His story reminds us how real mental health battles can be, even for stars, and why we need to talk openly about them.

Use The App To Win ₦1m

Stories are shared by community members. This article does not represent the official view of NaijaWorld — the author is solely responsible for its content.