Etim “African Maradona” Esin remains one of the most gifted footballers Nigeria has ever produced—an extraordinary talent whose rise was meteoric and whose fall was tragic. Long before the era of viral clips and social media hype, stadiums across the country filled up just to watch him play. Many fans even claimed he was more naturally gifted than Austin JJ Okocha.
Esin first lit up the football scene with Calabar Rovers, earning a place in Nigeria’s squad for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. But his journey took a devastating turn on the eve of his big break. One night, he broke camp curfew to go clubbing in Surulere, Lagos. While returning, he was attacked by armed robbers and shot in the thigh. In one moment, his World Cup dreams crumbled.
Despite his injury, the NFF treated him and still took him to the tournament—an unusual decision in professional football. He played half-fit, but even that could not hide his brilliance. His performances earned him a spot in the Super Eagles and paved the way for a lucrative move to Belgium, where the national team was already being shaped around him.
Not long after arriving in Europe, Stephen Keshi—then one of Nigeria’s biggest football exports—warned him about the dangers of getting entangled with foreign women, especially with the rise of false rape allegations against African players. Esin ignored the warning. Soon after, a damaging accusation of raping a minor surfaced. The scandal pushed him to flee Belgium to escape imprisonment, abandoning his contract and abruptly ending what could have been a historic European career.
The allegation shut the doors of the Super Eagles. He missed out on the USA ’94 World Cup, and with his career derailed, the space he left behind allowed a young Austin JJ Okocha to rise and eventually become a global superstar.
More than two decades later—25 years to be exact—the allegation was finally proven false. But by then, the harm had been done. His reputation, career, and future had been irreversibly damaged.
Today, Etim Esin lives quietly in Akwa Ibom State, largely forgotten by a nation that once chanted his name. And one can only imagine the silent moments when he asks himself the haunting question: “What if?”
Indiscipline has ended many promising careers, but Etim Esin’s story stands out as one of the most painful examples of destiny lost.
– MBET SAMUEL
Founder, Raising Champions Outreach
Former Nigeria U-17 Striker
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