Sunday Rotimi, Rivers United goalkeepers’ coach, has exclusively lamented to Completesports.com his pain of missing the opportunity to make the Super Eagles squad to the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals in Korea/Japan, describing it as the greatest setback of his career.

Rotimi told Completesports.com on Wednesday that he had high hopes of making the World Cup squad but was eventually dropped due to injury.

“I look back on it with pain,” Rotimi said emotionally. “Injury came, and I was dropped by coach Festus Adegboye Onigbinde.

“It was a very sad and painful moment. It took me time to overcome it. But that’s life; one has to live with it.”

“Before then, I was doing well with my club, Dolphins. As a home-based goalkeeper, I was one of the safe hands in the league and had earlier been invited to the U-17 Golden Eaglets camp.

“But unfortunately, I was not included when the final World Cup list was announced,” Rotimi stated.

Rotimi, 46, is arguably one of the most successful goalkeepers in the Nigerian league. He won three league titles as a player — two with Dolphins and one with Rivers United — and has also lifted the NPFL title as a goalkeepers’ coach.

“As a goalkeeper, I won three league titles — two with Dolphins and one with Rivers United — and I will always be grateful to God.

“As a coach, I have won the league with Rivers United, making it four titles across my career as a player and coach.I’m happy about that and will always be grateful to God.”

Injuries Struck At Goalie’s Crucial Moments

Rotimi, who earned 12 caps for Nigeria, admitted that injuries were a major setback during his career, especially at critical moments.

“That’s true. It feels bad that most times, at crucial moments, especially ahead of major competitions, injury would occur.

“It makes me feel sad, but then that’s life, and I had to live with it.”

Rotimi emphasised that despite the ups and downs of his career, he would encourage his children to take up football.

“Of course, yes. I will always lend my support and encouragement to any of them who decide to take up sports, football inclusive.

“As we speak now, my son, David, has begun to play football. He plays with a football academy as a midfielder.

“Whatever level of support or encouragement I can give, I will do,” said Rotimi, who played in the Nigerian league with Plateau United, Enyimba, El-Kanemi Warriors and Sunshine Stars before moving to Israel, where he signed a one-year deal with Hapoel Rishon LeZion F.C (2004–2005).

Rotimi also manned the posts for Hapoel Ashkelon FC (2005–2006) before returning to the NPFL to sign for Dolphins (now Rivers United).

He later moved to Mekelle 70 Enderta FC of Ethiopia before rejoining Rivers United, where he called time on his playing career and took up a goalkeepers’ coach role with the Pride of Rivers.

Rivers United are currently top of the 2025/2026 NPFL table, two points ahead of close title rivals, Rangers. Rotimi believes the title race will go down to the wire with only four matches left in the season.

“It’s a very close fight, but I think Rivers United have a slight advantage,” he said.

“The two teams are top sides, have character, and have their sights on the top prize. But I believe Rivers United have a slight advantage,” the soft-spoken goalkeepers’ coach concluded.