“I almost killed myself when my wife left” – Ex-Super Eagles star opens up about post-retirement struggles

Former Nigerian international goalkeeper Idah Peterside has revealed the deeply personal struggles he faced after his former wife left him, Soccernet.ng reports.

Peterside, who retired from football in 2002, transitioned into a new career as a television pundit with SuperSport shortly after hanging up his boots.

The former BBC Lions and Enyimba FC goalkeeper also started a church, devoting his time to evangelism. It was during this significant period of change in his life that his first wife departed, leaving Peterside to grapple with intense emotional turmoil.

Peterside, now the pastor of Christ Ambassadors Church in South Africa, detailed how the shame and emotional pain of his wife’s departure nearly drove him to take his own life.

Despite these challenges, he found solace and strength in his faith.

“I almost killed myself after my ex-wife left me, the shame was too much. I had just started a church and was just starting on SuperSport,” Peterside wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

“Only God saw me through. I look back today and am very grateful to God.”

During his football career, Peterside played for Tembisa Classic FC and Moroka Swallows in South Africa, and for several teams in Nigeria, including Enyimba, Sharks, Udoji United, BCC Lions, and Iwuanyanwu Nationale (now Heartland FC).

He was also the first Nigerian football pundit on DSTV.

Peterside’s journey of faith began in 1996 while playing for Iwuanyanwu Nationale.

That same year, he attended Word of Faith Bible College, earning a diploma while continuing his football career.

After an unsuccessful stint in Israel, he moved to South Africa, joining Tembisa Classic and later transitioning into ministry and media work.