Despite transforming into one of the Belgian and later Swiss leagues’ best centre-backs in the late nineties, he was ignored by the national selectors.
Furo Iyenemi finally got his time to shine on the big stage when Uche Okechukwu called it quits with the Super Eagles after the 1998 World Cup in France.
Dutchman Bonfrere Jo, who took over from Serbian coach Bora Milutinovic, after Nigeria exited France ’98 in the second round, was in need of a proven talent to complement Taribo West in the heart of Nigeria’s defence when he was made aware of Iyenemi’s existence at Swiss outfit FC Sion.
Iyenemi got a late invitation to join the Eagles in Malaga, Spain, where they were training ahead of the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations co-hosted by Ghana and Nigeria.
The former Sharks player proved himself in warm-up matches played by the Eagles and went ahead to become a first-team player in the side during the Ghana-Nigeria 2000 tournament.
Although he missed some of the matches, Iyemeni’s defensive qualities showed in the games he featured for Nigeria in the competition.
The Eagles produced a series of stunning performances at the National Stadium in Lagos to the delight of their fans who had been starved of the continental title since the country won at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia.
After beating North African giants Tunisia 4-2 and Morocco 2-0 in the group games, as well as defeating Senegal 2-1 in the quarter-finals and South Africa 2-0 in the semi-finals, courtesy of Tijani Babangida’s brace, the Eagles were favourites for the title.
But their bitter rivals Cameroon beat Tunisia 3-0 in the other semi-final fixture in Accra to face the Eagles in the final in Lagos on February 13, 2000.
Samuel Eto’o put the Indomitable Lions ahead on 26 minutes followed by Patrick Mboma’s 31st minute strike.
However,with Chukwu Ndukwe hitting home on 45 minutes before Austin Okocha levelled the scores two minutes into the second-half, the encounter went into a penalty shootout after it finished 2-2 at the end of extra-time. The Indomitable Lions eventually won 4-3 on penalties to lift the title at Nigeria’s expense for the third time – 1984, 1988 and 2000.
Bonfrere Jo was impressed by Iyenemi’s performance in the tournament, prompting him to name the former Waregem star in his 22-man squad for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games in Australia.
Other 2000 Africa Cup of Nations silver medalists, who made the Olympic squad were Gbenga Okunowo, Garba Lawal, Julius Aghahowa and Celestine Babayaro.
Nigeria crashed out of the competition after a 4-1 defeat by Chile in the quarter-finals. Iyenemi was replaced in the 46th minute by Christopher Kanu in the encounter and that was the last time he wore the national colours.
He was not invited by Bonfrere Jo and later by Shaibu Amodu, who took over from the Dutchman, for the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup qualifiers.
Iyenemi, who is currently coaching a youth team in his adopted country Belgium, insists he was forced out of the senior national team.
He claimed that the national team at the time was being controlled by a mafia, who discriminated against certain players in the side.
Iyemeni says he does not regret missing out on the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup, maintaining he would have made Nigeria’s 23-man squad for the championship if he had “a godfather”.
“If I had got one (godfather), I don’t think anybody would have touched me or forced me out of the team,” the 35-year-old, who lives in Antwerp, Belgium, told our correspondent on the telephone during the week.
“I was in top shape and ready for the World Cup but I was not invited, in spite of the fact that I was playing well in my club.
“There were players who were neither part of the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations squad nor part of the squad that played in the qualifiers that went to the World Cup.
“I don’t know why they refused to invite me. I was good enough to play in the 2002 World Cup.
“They had their reasons but I know many things happened behind the scenes.
“That is why our football is where it is today. There’s dirty, underhanded politics.
“Those who are supposed to manage the game are after what they can gain and not after the development of the game.”
Iyenemi, who hung up his boots after a season at Geneva club Servette, says he is proud of his achievements in the game.
He said, “I have no regrets not winning a trophy for the country. I won silver at the Africa Cup of Nations and I’m proud of it. I could have achieved more for the country if not for the dirty politics in the national team.”
The former France-based player, who separated from his Belgian wife some years ago after two children – a boy and a girl – lamented the declining fortunes of Nigerian football, saying “it’s a shame”.
“I follow the Nigerian league and the national teams here (in Belgium) and I’m not impressed with what’s going on,” the ex-Flying Eagles player said.
“The domestic league is nothing to write home about and the Nigeria Football Federation is not doing anything about it. It’s a shame.
“The league is completely different compared to the time I played for Sharks. League games these days are played in front of empty stands.
“The majority of football fans in the country follows foreign leagues and identify with foreign clubs.
“The Europeans sacrificed a lot to develop their leagues to the level they are today. Nigerians are crazy about European football without caring about what happens to the game in their country.
“Many wealthy Nigerians travel to Europe to watch matches involving Arsenal, Barcelona, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Chelsea and other big clubs.
“How many Europeans watch the Nigerian league? I have lived in Europe for many years and I have not seen a European tuning his TV to watch the Nigerian league or the Challenge Cup final. Not even the CAF Champions League final.
“Wealthy Nigerians and big companies should invest in the game and stop taking our money to Europe to sponsor clubs that don’t appreciate their efforts.”
Iyenemi said he decided to establish an academy (Furo Football Academy) in Port Harcourt “to discover talented youths and help them realise their dreams and fulfill their potential in football to the highest level”.
He added, “This is part of my contribution to youth development. It’s one way to help youths who want to take football as a career.
“A few of them (young footballers) have travelled through the academy to Europe to pursue a professional career and I am very sure with support, more will be given the opportunity to move.”
Iyenemi said he would allow his seven-year-old son footballer, who qualifies to represent Belgium and Nigeria, decide if he would play for Nigeria in the future.
He expressed his disappointment with poor conditions of many players who represented Nigeria and said he would not force his son to play for Nigeria if he was to decide.
Iyenemi said, “Have you seen or heard about any European player who represented his country that was not respected or helped by his country and former club when he faced some challenges?
“When you look at how you were treated by your country, will you honestly encourage your child to follow in your footsteps when he has a better choice to make?
“It hurts seeing so many of our ex-internationals without jobs.
“Despite being a Belgian citizen, I know where I come from and that will never change. I am a Nigerian from Okrika, Rivers State.
“The European say you are a citizen and have equal rights with them but it is not true. They are just fooling people with that. The Europeans will never accept you fully as one of them knowing full well you are an African.”
Iyenemi maintains the Eagles cannot win the summer’s World Cup in Brazil, saying “they are just going there to participate in the competition”.
“We have not done anything to develop the game in our country to deserve to win the World Cup,” he said.
“We don’t know the value of the World Cup and football, hence we are far behind in the game.
“In Europe and South America, people commit suicide when their countries or their teams lose matches because they worship football.
“If we are serious about winning the World Cup, we should do what other countries are doing – that is organise the league and plan for the players.
“How many Europe-based players return to the Nigerian league to end their careers?
“Brazilian players are respected by Europeans because they return to their country when they are not being used or appreciated by their clubs. They even accept lesser wages to play in the Brazilian league.
“In our case, nobody wants to return home because the league is not organised and players are owed wages and allowances.
“We have the players to beat the best team in the world but there’s no planning. Our officials are corrupt.
“Nigeria can only win the World Cup when things have changed for the better. It’s good to say the truth and feel good even if it hurts. Sorry, we can’t win the World Cup; it’s not possible – not in our generation because we don’t have respect for the rules of the game and it will always hurt us at the end.”