On a quiet avenue in Kaduna, distant from the roar of packed stadiums and the chants of soccer followers, a person who as soon as dazzled within the Nigerian league now lives a life many would by no means think about.
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That man is Promise James — a defender as soon as celebrated as one of many most interesting right-backs the Nigerian league ever produced.
Right now, the previous Kano Pillars FC, Enyimba Worldwide FC, and El-Kanemi Warriors FC star struggles to make ends meet.
His story resurfaced not too long ago when Kaduna-based footballer Emmanuel Owi Adoyi set out on a private mission — to search out and assist former Nigerian gamers who’ve fallen on arduous occasions after their careers light.
For Adoyi, the seek for Promise James was greater than curiosity. It was a painful journey into the forgotten facet of soccer.
A Seek for a Forgotten Star
Adoyi, who presently performs for Benin Republic membership Union Sportive des Cavaliers, mentioned he had heard disturbing tales about James’ state of affairs.
“I stored asking about him as a result of he was among the finest gamers the league ever produced,” Adoyi instructed Sports247.
“Then somebody instructed me he was in Kaduna… losing away, consuming, simply surviving from hand to mouth.”
The information shocked him.
“It’s a tragic factor to listen to that an ideal expertise like that is losing away,” he mentioned. “So I made a decision to go seeking him.”
When he finally discovered the once-celebrated defender, the truth was heartbreaking.
The person who as soon as battled the most effective attackers within the Nigeria Skilled Soccer League was now battling one thing far tougher — seven years into his ‘life after soccer’, having performed his final recreation within the league in 2019.
A Profession That As soon as Promised Everythin
Years earlier, Promise James’ journey into skilled soccer had begun in dramatic style.
He recalled how his life modified throughout an off-the-cuff pleasant match in Kaduna.
“I even needed to accumulate ₦700 from my mom to gasoline my automobile as a result of I didn’t have cash,” James mentioned.
