Missing 2002 World Cup Remains My Deepest Regret, Says Rotimi

Rivers United goalkeepers’ coach Sunday Rotimi says the greatest setback of his career was being dropped from Nigeria’s 2002 World Cup squad after suffering an injury. He recalls his form with Dolphins and an earlier call-up to the U-17 Golden Eaglets camp, only to see his World Cup dream slip away. As a player, Rotimi won three Nigerian league titles—two with Dolphins and one with Rivers United. He has since added another NPFL trophy as a coach, bringing his total to four major league crowns. Rotimi admits injuries often struck at critical moments, but he remains optimistic. He will support any of his children who choose football; his son David already plays as a midfielder in a local academy. With Rivers United two points clear at the top of the 2025/2026 NPFL table and four games left, Rotimi believes the title race will go down to the wire but backs his side to prevail.

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