Former Eagles player, Chigozie Udoji has made a shocking revelation, indicting national team coaches of demanding 20 per cent of his earnings for life as a pre-condition for being called up.
Udoji made the revelation when he featured on Brila FM’s ‘No Holds Barred’ with Ifeanyi Udeze, noting that he could have had a better career had he succumbed to the demand.
He said, “If I had given what was asked perhaps I would be elsewhere today. They wanted me to sign a contract,”.
“Maybe I made mistakes or not but I feel it’s all God’s plan. Maybe it’s because I didn’t give the things I was asked,” Udoji said.
“Nigeria is a country of give and take, that’s the culture. If I had given what was asked perhaps I would be elsewhere today.
“They wanted me to sign a contract. I was asked to sign a Contract where they’ll (the National team Coaches) be entitled to 20% of my earning for the rest of my career.
“But as a kid from Ajegunle I just wanted to play football and had my ambitions, so I refused and I was snubbed.
according to Udoji, he was confident to ask for a chance to play for Nigeria because he had the quality and was good enough, but the coaches made demands that he couldn’t accept and thus was never given that invitation.
“I was interviewed about playing for Nigeria and if I felt like I deserved a place I responded in the affirmative and I stand by it till today.”