TARIBO
WEST
Age
52 yrs
Height
1.80m
Value
,
Caps / Goals
42 / 0
Who is Taribo
Taribo West is a 1996 Olympic Gold Medallist and one of only a handful of African defenders to have played for both Inter Milan and AC Milan in the same career. He spent a decade in European football at Auxerre, Inter, AC Milan, Derby County, Kaiserslautern and Partizan Belgrade. He played at the 1998 FIFA World Cup for Nigeria and is still remembered for the bright green dreadlocks he wore at France 1998. Since retirement he has been a full-time ordained Christian pastor in Lagos, heading the Shelter in the Storm Ministries congregation.
Tactical DNA
West was Nigeria's hardest defender of the Super Eagles golden generation, a physical, aggressive, man-marking centre-back in a side of flair attackers. He was most effective against target strikers and set-piece threats, which is how he outplayed Spain's Fernando Hierro and Kiko in Nigeria's 3-2 group-stage win at France 1998. His Auxerre and Inter Milan seasons under Guy Roux and Luigi Simoni built his reputation as a low-risk, high-intensity stopper rather than a passer.
His 1997 transfer from Auxerre to Inter Milan made him one of the first Nigerian outfielders at a top-four Serie A club. At 23 he played alongside Ronaldo Nazário, Javier Zanetti and Diego Simeone in the Inter side that won the 1998 UEFA Cup. The cross-town switch to AC Milan in 1999 was the peak status moment of his career, though injuries limited his Rossoneri minutes.
Career Journey
Began his senior career at Obanta United.
Spell with Port Harcourt side Sharks FC.
Played for Enugu Rangers before moving on.
Lagos-based Julius Berger spell where he developed the aggressive, physical style that defined his European career, ahead of the move to France.
Ligue 1 debut for Guy Roux's Auxerre. Won the 1995–96 French Ligue 1 title and Coupe de France double (playing alongside Laurent Blanc). Breakthrough season 1996–97 before the Inter Milan move.
UEFA Cup winner 1997–98, played 6 matches including the semi-final vs Spartak Moscow. Serie A regular alongside Ronaldo, Zanetti and Simeone.
Cross-town switch under Alberto Zaccheroni, one of the few players to have crossed the Milan divide. Injury-affected single season.
Multi-club wind-down across several countries. Kaiserslautern Bundesliga 2000–01. Derby County Premier League 2000–01 cult figure. Partizan 2002–2004, winning the Serbian SuperLiga title in 2002–03. Plymouth Argyle (4 apps, 2005) and a final spell at Paykan FC in Iran in 2007.
Current Season Stats
Live DataHonours
Olympic Gold Medal
Atlanta 1996, Nigeria
UEFA Cup
Inter Milan 1997–98
Ligue 1
Auxerre 1995–96
Coupe de France
Auxerre 1995–96
AFCON Runner-up
2000 (Nigeria co-hosts)
AFCON Third Place
2002 (Mali)
With Nigeria (Super Eagles), retired 2005
Beyond the Pitch
Born 26 March 1974 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, south-south Nigeria. Given name Taribo Idoreyin Wasem West. The 'Taribo' forename is Ikwerre in origin. Grew up in the Ajegunle district of Lagos after his family relocated, and joined Lagos-based Julius Berger FC as a teenager.
Ordained as a Pentecostal Christian pastor in 2005 while still playing in Serbia.
Expert Analysis
Taribo Q&A
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Last updated 2026-04-22 · written by Amara Okafor. · Reviewed by Ọmọlàgbà Olúwáyẹmí