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A revealing look at African footballers who lost fortunes due to poor decisions, mismanagement, fraud, and lack of financial planning.
Many football players across Africa have enjoyed glittering careers that earned them millions in salaries, endorsements, and bonuses.
But not all these stars managed their wealth well thus there is a sad story of reality for some of the continent’s most gifted talents. Some have been involved in divorce battles and bad investments to reckless spending and fraud hence their wealth vanished almost as quickly as it came.
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Pulse Sports looks at Top 10 African Footballers Who Went Broke After Making Millions.
African Footballers Who Went Broke After Making Millions
10. Willem Vries (South Africa)
Bloemfontein Celtic legend Willem Vries is a striking example of African footballers who went broke after making millions—or in his case, thousands.
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Despite not having earned as much as the modern generation of players, Vries was once a household name in South Africa’s footballing scene. He made 306 appearances for Celtic and served as a loyal midfielder through various club regimes.
However, life after football was anything but rewarding for Vries. Post-retirement, he worked as a gardener at the very club he once represented with pride. Health issues later forced him out of work, and the club recommended that he apply for a government social grant through SASSA.
Vries now lives in poverty, unable to afford a basic television set. Hence, he remains a sobering reminder in the list of African footballers who went broke after making millions.
9. Asamoah Gyan (Ghana)
Among African footballers who went broke after making millions, Asamoah Gyan is perhaps the most shocking.
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Once Africa’s highest-paid footballer, Gyan earned an estimated $250,000 per week while playing in China for Shanghai SIPG. But in a dramatic 2018 court hearing during a divorce case, Gyan claimed to have just £600 in his bank account.
The Ghanaian legend, who also had spells in the UAE and Turkey, admitted he could not afford business class tickets for his children. His financial woes, coupled with his high-profile divorce, stunned fans who had watched him thrive on and off the pitch.
However, more recent reports suggest that Gyan has managed to bounce back somewhat, investing in businesses and regaining partial stability.
Still, his sudden descent from luxury to near pennilessness places him among notable African footballers who went broke after making millions.
8. Etim Esin (Nigeria)
Etim Esin is often referred to as one of the most naturally gifted Nigerian players of his generation.
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Dubbed "The African Maradona" in his prime, Esin was once a regular fixture in the Super Eagles squad. Despite his immense talent, he became one of the African footballers who went broke after making millions—or at least after showing potential for it.
Esin’s career was riddled with controversies and issues related to indiscipline. His promising trajectory was cut short, and after retirement, he was unable to secure a steady income.
Reports suggest that Esin has since faced significant financial difficulties, living modestly and struggling to find his footing outside of football.
Using himself as an example in several interviews, Esin has urged young players to avoid his mistakes. His story adds to the conversation about African footballers who went broke after making millions.
7. Junaid Hartley (South Africa)
Junaid Hartley’s name may not ring as many bells internationally, but in South African football circles, he was once seen as a rising star.
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Hartley’s financial collapse came primarily as a result of costly legal battles while trying to sever ties with his club, Orlando Pirates. His earnings drained quickly, and despite attempts to revive his career, luck was not on his side.
The midfielder spent much of his fortune paying lawyers and chasing a comeback that never quite materialized. His decisions cost him dearly, both financially and emotionally.
6. Thembinkosi Fanteni (South Africa)
Thembinkosi "Terror" Fanteni is an unfortunate addition to the list of African footballers who went broke after making millions.
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Fanteni lived lavishly during his playing days—owning luxury cars, designer clothes, and reportedly spending a fortune on nightlife and women.
While he represented South Africa in major international tournaments, including the African Nations Cup and FIFA Confederations Cup, Fanteni failed to plan for life after football. His wealth quickly vanished, and he found himself struggling financially not long after hanging up his boots.
His case serves as a vivid lesson on how short-lived wealth can be without moderation and sound financial advice, especially among African footballers who went broke after making millions.
5. Wilson Oruma (Nigeria)
Wilson Oruma’s story is particularly heartbreaking among African footballers who went broke after making millions.
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A former U-17 World Cup winner with Nigeria, Oruma played for top clubs in France and was a fan favorite in the national team. However, his financial downfall came at the hands of fraudsters, including a supposed pastor, who conned him in a fake oil business scam.
Oruma lost around $3 million in the fraudulent deal. The emotional toll was so severe that he reportedly battled mental health issues in the aftermath. Teammates like Nwankwo Kanu and Augustine Eguavoen later organized charity matches to help raise funds for him.
Oruma story shows desperation can lead even the most successful African footballers who went broke after making millions into emotional and financial ruins.
4. Philemon Masinga (South Africa)
Philemon Masinga remains a national hero in South Africa for scoring the decisive goal that qualified Bafana Bafana for the 1998 World Cup.
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Masinga had a fruitful career in Europe, playing in England and Italy, and also ventured into business after retirement. Sadly, those ventures failed, and he struggled financially before his passing in 2019.
Despite his stature, Masinga was unable to find sustainable income sources after hanging up his boots. His sudden financial collapse adds him to the unfortunate ranks of African footballers who went broke after making millions.
3. Ifeanyi Udeze (Nigeria)
Former Nigeria international Ifeanyi Udeze was once celebrated for his strength and commitment on the pitch.
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Udeze played in top leagues in England and Greece, and his international appearances earned him respect and money. But financial problems hit Udeze hard after retirement.
Media reports claimed he was unable to pay rent and was even evicted from his home. Udeze’s decline shocked many, considering his stature in Nigerian football.
Currently a pundit on Nigerian sports TV, Udeze has managed to find a path back into the football ecosystem, albeit far from the wealth he once had.
2. Eric Djemba-Djemba (Cameroon)
Eric Djemba-Djemba famously played for Manchester United, making him one of the most recognized African footballers who went broke after making millions.
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At his peak, he lived lavishly and invested heavily, including a costly real estate venture in Qatar that failed spectacularly.
Djemba-Djemba’s story came to light after a public fallout with his agent and revelations of tax debts exceeding €600,000 in the UK.
By the time he retired, nearly all of his earnings had vanished. His bankruptcy filing in the UK shocked fans who remembered him from his Premier League days.
Now living a much simpler life, Djemba-Djemba’s journey reflects how bad investments and lack of financial oversight can ruin even those who once earned fortunes.
1. Emmanuel Eboué (Côte d'Ivoire)
Topping the list of African footballers who went broke after making millions is Emmanuel Eboué.
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A fan favorite at Arsenal and Galatasaray, Eboué enjoyed a successful football career and was part of the Ivorian national team for years. But a bitter divorce and unwise investments led to a catastrophic downfall.
Eboue admitted he was once so broke that he had to sleep on the floor of a friend’s home and wash his clothes by hand. His plight shocked the world and highlighted the lack of financial literacy and legal safeguards among many athletes.
Today, Eboué is working on rebuilding his life, but his story remains the most well-known cautionary tale among African footballers who went broke after making millions.
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