Former Golden Eaglets goalkeeper Dele Ajiboye has alleged that members of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) leadership misled members of the victorious 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup squad into selling the houses they received from the Federal Government.
Ajiboye, who was Nigeria’s goalkeeper during the tournament in South Korea, claimed that the players were advised to sell their properties over fears that a future government could revoke the allocations.
Speaking exclusively to Exclusivenews.com.ng from his base in the United States, the 36-year-old described the development as one of the painful experiences surrounding the team’s historic triumph.
The Golden Eaglets won their second FIFA U-17 World Cup title on September 9, 2007, defeating Spain 3-0 on penalties after regulation and extra time ended goalless.
Ajiboye was instrumental in the victory, saving two of Spain’s first three penalty attempts, while another Spanish effort went wide. The Nigerian players converted all their first three kicks to secure the trophy.
Following their return to Nigeria, the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua rewarded each member of the victorious squad with a house in Abuja during a civic reception.
However, Ajiboye alleged that most of the players eventually sold their properties after receiving advice from some members of the then NFF leadership.
“It was a glorious moment in my career, lifting the FIFA World Cup at that young age,” Ajiboye said.
“Making the victory more remarkable was the fact it came against one of the world’s most respected footballing nations, Spain. I felt happy, moreso having stopped two of the Spanish first three kicks while the other one went wide of post.
“And on return from that championship, then Nigeria President, Umaru Musa Yar’adua, gifted us with a house each in Abuja. We’re so happy.
“But unfortunately, some members of the NFF leadership ‘deceived’ us to sell the houses. They argued that a possible change of leadership in the country may cost us the houses in future.
“Most of us did while others who live within or close to Abuja didn’t. It’s so sad, painful,” he added.
Ajiboye also recalled another disappointing experience from his time with the national team, alleging that unnamed individuals within the NFF discouraged him from accepting an opportunity to join a South Korean club after the 2007 World Cup.
According to the former goalkeeper, he was advised that moving to South Korea could affect his chances of representing Nigeria at senior international level.
“You see, sometimes, I don’t like remembering my career life back home because it makes me feel sad. Do you know that same people ‘deceived’ me from signing for a club there in South Korea after the (2007 U-17) FIFA World Cup?
“I was told that should I move to South Korea, my chances of playing for the senior national team will be truncated.
“So, that was how I missed that opportunity of signing for the South Korean club that would have launched my career abroad at that time,” he said.
Ajiboye went on to feature for several clubs during his professional career, beginning with Prime FC between 2007 and 2008 before moving to Wikki Tourists from 2008 to 2009.
He subsequently joined Spanish side Pontevedra, where he played between 2009 and 2011, before returning to Nigeria to feature for Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan from 2011 to 2013.
His subsequent clubs included Nasarawa United (2014–2015), Warri Wolves (2016) and Plateau United, which he joined in 2016.
The goalkeeper also represented Nigeria at all four levels of the men’s national teams: U-17, U-20, U-23 and the senior Super Eagles.
Despite his international experience, Ajiboye said he still feels disappointed about missing out on Nigeria’s squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
He revealed that he was part of the Super Eagles’ preparations but was dropped on the eve of the announcement of the final squad.
“I remember 2018 World Cup with pain in my heart. We’re in the camp, preparing for the World with high spirit.
“But surprisingly, on the eve of calling the final list, I found out that they have dropped my name.
“Dropping me was not my pain. But my worry was the fact that a goalkeeper who had been dropped long ago was recalled and named in the team at my expense.
“It was the circumstance of my being dropped that is the issue here. Anyway, all that belongs to the past now,” he said.
The former Plateau United goalkeeper also expressed concerns about the appointment of goalkeeper coaches across Nigeria’s national teams, calling for greater consideration of merit and opportunities for other qualified professionals.
Ajiboye stressed that he was not seeking an appointment but wanted the selection process to provide opportunities for coaches who had demonstrated their abilities at club and international levels.
“I’m not begging for appointment as goalkeeper coach to any of the national teams. But what I’m saying is that the right thing should be done. Such appointments should be on merit.
“A situation whereby a particular (goalkeeper) coach will serve in the Super Eagles, then to the U-23 Eagles, U-20 Flying Eagles and Falcons doesn’t speak of fairness.
“There are many good goalkeeper coaches around, I mean those who did well for their respective clubs in Nigeria and abroad, including the national teams.
“I’m talking about the likes of Dele Aiyenugbas, Sunday Rotimis, John Ga’adis amongst others. Does it make sense, progress and encouragement having these people around and available, yet we keep on moving a particular one around?” Ajiboye queried.
His comments have brought renewed attention to the experiences of members of Nigeria’s 2007 U-17 World Cup-winning squad and the broader issues of player welfare, career development and coaching appointments within the country’s football system.
