Jonathan Akpoborie Cautions Young Footballers Against Extravagance

Former Nigerian striker, Jonathan Akpoborie, has advised young footballers to avoid living extravagant lifestyles. In an interview with Elegbete TV Sports, the 55-year-old sports personality reflected on his past experiences and urged upcoming athletes to exercise financial prudence.

Akpoborie recounted his frequent travels between Germany and Nigeria during his time playing for Stuttgart. “I grew up in Ajegunle. I saw everywhere before I travelled from Nigeria,” he said. He shared that the transition between Lagos and his football club was seamless, enabling frequent visits.

The former striker narrated instances where, after games, he and other footballers would hire private jets to locations such as Spain to indulge in short getaways. “We stay overnight, do whatever you want to do, and the next morning, the private jet brings you back,” he recalled, attributing such indulgences to the “power of money.”

Akpoborie highlighted that his frequent visits adhered to a similar pattern, where he would be in Lagos every two weeks. “Lagos is Lagos, my friends are my friends, so you can’t stay away from home,” he stated, explaining how the allure of spending money often drove many of their choices.

The ex-footballer emphasized the importance of young players managing their finances wisely, warning against the allure of wealth that could lead to significant downfall. He noted the risk of being persuaded by money to make imprudent decisions, urging them to be “wise.”

“The problem when you have money, it pushes you to do a lot of things. If you don’t get control over money, you will lose it, and when you lose it, it is a deep fall,” Akpoborie cautioned. He concluded his advice with a prayer for current players to recognize and act with responsibility when confronted with the temptations of monetary power.