Mobi Oparaku, a former Nigeria international, has exclusively revealed to Exclusivenews.com.ng what coach Clemense Westerhof  told him before the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Japan as well as what Bonfrere Jo told him when he returned back to Nigeria to collect the key and document of the house promised the Super Eagles for winning the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia.

Oparaku, who is now Technical Director of NPFL side, Kun Khalifat, spoke to exclusivenews.com. ng on the sidelines of the 2025/2026 NPFL matchday 12 clash between the 'Pride of the Imolites' and Rivers United at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, on Monday, 10 November, 2025. The Pride of Rivers won the 'Monday Night' clash 1-0.

'Mobility', as the 1993 FIFA U17s World Cup winner with Nigeria's Golden Eaglets coached by Ambassador Fanny Amun, MON, told Exclusivenews.com.ng that both coaches played positive roles in his career, recalling how Westerhof told him that his career would hit global mark 'if I continue the way I'm playing now'.

"That was in 1993, after our last qualification match for the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Cup against Algeria", begins the former Iwuanyanwu Nationale right back.

"Westerhof came to me, held me with hands across my neck and said, 'if you continue playing the way you're doing now, you will not only play in the Super Eagles but will become a great player", Mobi recounted.

The Kun Khalifat Technical Director further disclosed that after he won the FIFA U-17 World Cup title in Japan "93, Westerhof congratulated him.

"When we returned from Japan with the World Cup, Westerhof was happy with the team and he personally congratulated me for playing well all through the competition.

"He was also pleased with the entire team for lifting the trophy in Japan which was the second time Nigeria would win the FIFA U-17 World Cup after the 1985 triumph in China".

Westerhof remains Nigeria's most successful expatriate Coach with one AFCON title in Tunisia 1994, AFCON silver medal in Senegal 1992 and leading Nigeria to her first FIFA World Cup finals appearance in 1994 in the United States of America, USA.

Nigeria Super Eagles reached the round of 16 in the USA "94 World Cup, losing 1-1 to the Roberto Baggio inspired Azzurris of Italy.

The 'Dutch-gerian stepped down from his managerial role of the Super Eagles soon after the 1994 Mundial and went back home.

His departure ensured the his Assistant Coach, Johannes Bonfrere took up the Nigerian plum and was first saddled with the U-23 Olympic Games Dream Team 1 job.

"When Westerhof left after the World Cup, Shaibu Amodu *now late( took me to the 1995 Gold Cup Tournament in the United States of America, USA", Mobi narrated.

"After the Gold Cup Tournament, Bonfrere Jo invited me to the U-23 Dream Team 1 for the 1996 Olympic Games", Mobi  continued.

"We went on to win the Olympic Games football gold medal. After that, Bonfrere left after the Nations Cup in 2000 in which Nigeria won the Silver medal in Lagos.

"Since then, I've not seen him again nor heard from him until when he came recently to collect the house which the Federal Government promised the Super Eagles for winning the 1994 Nations Cup", Mobi recalled.

"I was surprised to receive a call from (Pastor) Tarbolton West who handed the phone to Bonfrere Jo.

"Someone wants to speak to you", Taribo said before passing the phone to Bonfrere Jo. Immediately the voice from the other end said 'I'm Bonfrere Jo', I became emotionally excited.

"And I said to him, 'thank you for believing in me'. He responded by saying, no, no, no! I should be the one to say 'thank you for making me proud", Bonfrere Jo yelled.

Asked about the Olympic Games men's football event gold medal, Mobi said he deposited in a bank for safe keeping.

"It's in the bank. It's there for safe keeping. You know its pure gold. Do know what is the market value? So, it's in the bank. Its something I cherish and value so much".

Mobi told Exclusivenews.com.ng that he won't stand in his children's way if they wish to take to football or any other sport.

"I've two kids, a boy and a girl. The boy is already 11 years and has started playing soccer with his peers. If he, or the two of them, decide to play football, who am I to stop them?

"If that's their choice, so be it. I'll only respect their decision and encourage them in whatever choice of career they chose afterall, its football that took me to where I'm today".