Nigerian football icon Segun Odegbami has made an emotional appeal to the NSC, the NFF, and the Edo State Government, urging them to provide urgent support for Kadiri Ikhana, the former Super Eagles player and renowned coach, who is currently battling health challenges, www.aclsports.com reports.
Segun Odegbami, fondly called Mathematical who won Nigeria’s first Africa Cup of Nations in 1980 alongside Ikhana, shared a heartfelt message on Facebook. He appealed for swift intervention to prevent the tragic loss of another national icon to suffering.
“Another Eagle on death throes. I wish I did not have to do this…again,” Segun Odegbami wrote.
“But I have to, because it is frustrating. It is absolutely clear to me that most of us, retired international Nigerian athletes, need help. We are suffering, living in pain, poverty and poor health. In the past 4 months, 5 of us have died, and at relatively young ages too.”
“These deaths may not be totally unconnected with the consequences of ‘over flogging’ our bodies during our sports careers. Nobody knows for sure. What we do know, however, is that we shall never know unless something is done to investigate and understand the causes of these ‘early’ deaths that are seemingly on rampage this season.
“We are yet to finish mourning and to bury four of the five sports heroes when frustrating news comes, two days ago, of another sports hero at death’s gates.”
As regards Ikhana’s critical condition, Odegbami disclosed that it was Hon. Austin Braimoh, the former chairman of the South-South Police Service Commission, who first informed him about the issue.
“A ‘good Samaritan’, Hon. Austin Braimoh… brought Kadiri’s situation to my attention and got me to speak with ‘Kawawa’ as I refer to Mr. Kadiri Ikhana,” Odegbami stated.
“Yesterday afternoon, Kawawa was referred to and transferred to Irrua Specialist Teaching hospital… for more intensive investigation and for immediate blood transfusion in order to save his life. Hon. Braimoh has been paying the mounting bills, so far, to keep Kadiri alive.”
“In a muffled voice when he was conscious enough and able to utter a few words, Kadiri begged me to ask Nigerians to pray for him. That’s what I am doing now,” the post ended.
Ikhana’s present health situation emerges as Nigerian football continues to grieve the loss of some of its greats. In April, the country bid farewell to Christian Chukwu, and not long after, Charles Bassey also passed on. Most recently, Peter Rufai died on July 3 after battling a long-term illness.
Ikhana has made an indelible impact on Nigerian football. During his playing days, he played for Bendel Insurance and was part of the historic 1980 AFCON-winning squad. He also represented Nigeria at the 1980 Olympics and in FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
However, many would remember him for his achievements at Enyimba, where he led them to the CAF Champions League triumph in 2003 and the league title in 2015. Ikhana, 73, also won the NPFL with Kano Pillars in 2008. In addition, he coached the Nigerian Olympic team and the Super Falcons in the past.
