Taribo West was born on 26 March 1974 and is a Nigerian pastor and former professional footballer who played as a defender.
35 Facts About Taribo West
1.
2.
Taribo West is best remembered for his various unusual and colourful hairstyles.
3.
Taribo West appeared in the top-level leagues of England and Germany.
4.
At international level, Taribo West was capped 42 times for Nigeria between 1994 and 2005, taking part in two World Cups and two African Championships.
5.
Taribo West represented his country at the 1996 Olympics, winning a gold medal.
6.
Taribo West started playing professionally with Obanta United in 1989, before returning to Sharks in 1990.
7.
Taribo West then played for Enugu Rangers in 1991, before joining Julius Berger in 1992.
8.
Taribo West became a first team regular in the following season, making 31 appearances in all competitions.
9.
In June 1997, Taribo West was transferred to Italian side Inter Milan, on a four-year deal.
10.
In November 2000, Taribo West moved to English club Derby County, on an initial three-month loan.
11.
Taribo West helped the team avoid relegation, making 18 appearances, as Derby won 31 out of their 42 total points with him in the lineup.
12.
In May 2001, Taribo West eventually left the club because his "international commitments".
13.
Taribo West eventually failed to get a contract due to lack of fitness.
14.
On 24 January 2003, it was announced that Taribo West would join the reigning FR Yugoslavia champions Partizan under newly appointed manager Lothar Matthaus.
15.
Taribo West arrived in Belgrade for the final negotiations with the club five days later.
16.
On 30 January 2003, Taribo West signed an 18-month contract with Partizan.
17.
In February 2004, Taribo West left the club by mutual consent.
18.
Taribo West subsequently returned to England, penning a one-year deal with Plymouth Argyle in July 2005.
19.
Taribo West appeared in only five games for Plymouth, before his contract was terminated in October 2005.
20.
In January 2007, Taribo West was close to signing with Croatian club Rijeka, but failed his medical.
21.
Taribo West eventually moved to Iran and signed a one-year contract with Paykan in August 2007.
22.
Taribo West failed to make a start with the club, having his contract terminated by mutual consent only three months later.
23.
In February 2008, Taribo West reportedly claimed to be joining Segunda Division side Xerez, but the club's president denied any knowledge of the player's arrival.
24.
Taribo West was a member of the Flying Eagles at the 1993 African Youth Championship.
25.
Taribo West was a member of the Olympic squad that won the gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
26.
Two years later, Taribo West was named in the 22-man squad for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, together with Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, and others.
27.
Taribo West represented his country in the tournament's 2002 edition, finishing in third place.
28.
Additionally, Taribo West was a member of the team at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
29.
Taribo West made two appearances in the "Group of Death", as Nigeria finished bottom of the table, behind Sweden, England and Argentina.
30.
In January 2004, Taribo West suffered an injury during the team's training session that ruled him out of the African Cup of Nations.
31.
Taribo West returned to the national team on 17 August 2005, making his final appearance for the Super Eagles in a friendly against Libya.
32.
Primarily a centre-back, Taribo West was a physically commanding and powerful defender.
33.
Taribo West was known for his ball-winning abilities, commitment, and hard-tackling style of play, as well as his forward surging runs.
34.
Taribo West eventually became a pastor after his footballing days.
35.
In 2014, Taribo West founded a church called "Shelter in the Storm Miracle Ministries of All Nation" in Lagos.