Former Nigeria defender, Taribo West, slammed West Brom forward, Osaze Odemwingie, for his comments on the state of the country’s ex-internationals, saying the player should focus on his career rather than using social network site, Twitter, to ‘abuse’ his elders.
Osaze twitted that football administrators had failed to “treat former internationals right” citing late striker Rashidi Yekini, Femi Opabunmi and Taribo as examples.
“Yekini, (may his soul RIP) our legend died in poverty…Femi Opabunmi lost his sight and struggling to feed now…T. West I heard not so comfortable and few others,” Osaze twitted.
The Edo-born player lately has used the social network site to unleash his rage at several ex-Eagles players and the Nigeria Football Federation. He also unleashed his anger at West Brom and their fans via the same channel when his transfer bid to Queens Park Rangers fell through.
But Taribo, who has now turned pastor, replied the England-based player on Thursday saying, “It is embarrassing to read such comments about me in the newspapers. The last time he probably saw me was in 2008, so what does he know about me?
“Have I asked him for money before? God has been kind to me and my ministry and I have not begged anybody for money. I am doing well; I am not broke and never will be till Christ comes. In Christ, I have everything, so I am not lacking. I think he has lost track and needs to get himself together. “He should shut up and focus on his career instead of insulting his seniors all the time. He needs to respect his elders. His utterances smacks of indiscipline and unprofessionalism. He should apologise to everyone he’s been abusing on Twitter because if he continues like this, he will not go far.”
Taribo, who played for Italian giants AC Milan and Inter Milan, during an illustrious career, said comments onTwitter was not the best way to fight the cause of Nigeria’s ex-footballers. “If he is fighting for ex-players, then that is not how to go about it. He should come home and fight those who are not helping the footballers.
“How many ex-footballers has he helped? How can he stay in England and fight for a cause in Nigeria? He should join his seniors and fight for their cause because his approach has no foundation,” Taribo added.