Olympic Silver Medallist Ambruse Vanzekin: 'I borrowed to attend training as Bendel Insurance goalkeeper coach'

Nigerian fans will remember the name Ambruse Vanzekin for his heroics during his time with the Nigerian youth teams in the 2000s.

Vanzekin delivered a standout performance with Nigeria's silver medal-winning U-23 team at the Beijing 2008 Olympics Games, and he had previously represented the nation at the U-17 (2003) and U-20 (2005) World Cups, winning silver at the Netherlands 2005 with the likes of former Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi. 

The goalkeeper had a club career that spanned for 12 years across several Nigerian clubs, including Plateau United, Bendel Insurance, Akwa United, and Warri Wolves.

Upon retirement, he took up roles with Nigerian football clubs, training the next generation of goalkeepers. 

However, the former goalkeeper took to his Facebook to reveal how he was poorly treated by Bendal Insurance’s former chairperson, Sabina, who is a sister to the former deputy governor’s wife. 

Vanzekin revealed that he was paid ₦75,000 for his first three years at Bendel Insurance and had to transport himself with at least ₦2000 to the training ground daily.

The former goalkeeper added that despite his complaint, the club’s chairperson asked him to be grateful instead for getting paid.

After several years and the dismissal of Sabina, his pay was increased to ₦216,000 net, but he still struggled to make ends meet due to inflation in the Nigerian economy.

Vanzekin revealed that he had to borrow money from his community members on several occasions, monies as low as ₦2000. 

The Olympic medalist has officially resigned as Bendel Insurance’s goalkeeper coach due to these reasons.

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