Former Nigerian international Taribo West has claimed that he "saw God one-on-one" before he decided to become a pastor.

West, who is the founder of Shelter In The Storm Miracle Ministries of All Nation, narrated all that transpired the day he gave his life to Christ.

The former Inter Milan defender was famous for his bizarre hairstyle during his playing days, and football fans were stunned to learn he is now a clergyman.

Taribo was a key member of the Nigerian national football team between 1994 and 2005, as he earlier featured for the U-21 and U-23 teams.

He had 42 caps for the senior national team and was part of the squad that won gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

His professional footballing journey began at Port Harcourt-based club Sharks before he had brief stints with Enugu Rangers and Julius Berger.

In 1993, he moved to Europe and joined French club Auxerre. He later moved to Italy and played for Inter Milan and then rivals AC Milan, Cable reports.

Taribo also had stints with, Derby County, FC Kaiserslautern and a few other clubs before he retired in 2007.

“I saw God, one-on-one.”

Nigerian pastor and former professional footballer, Taribo West, talks about the moment he decided to switch from being a footballer to becoming a pastor.

🎥: #BBCSportsAfrica pic.twitter.com/WwZsRPWqvq

— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) August 21, 2021

As soon as he announced his retirement from football, Taribo hit the headlines after he became a pastor.

Asked why he switched from football to becoming a pastor, the ex-international told BBC:

“Why would I switch from being a footballer to becoming a pastor? I saw God one-on-one. That’s where my transition started; From the field to the pulpit.

“We were celebrating. In the middle of that, a woman stumbled into me and said: ‘Sir, please may I know your name?’ I said: ‘I am Mr No name’.

She said: ‘May I know where you live?’ I said: ‘I live nowhere.’ She left with annoyance.

“In the twinkle of an eye, I just heard an audible voice. And it came like a slap. It said: ‘Switch, turn.’ I turned. It said: ‘Look at the woman. Look for her now and call that woman and apologize to her. I said that to you.’ That can only be a voice from God.

“So I switched, like a Robocop, I start searching for the woman, and when this sister came all the way from America, she told me a lot of prophecies. And she told me in the next one or two years; I would open a church. All the prophecies she gave me came to pass.”

The commanding and powerful defender was known for his ball-winning abilities, commitment, and hard-tackling style of play.