Help! Ikhana faces health crisis, Odegbami rallies support

Ikhana

Former Super Eagles captain Segun Odegbami has issued an emotional appeal for support for retired Nigerian athletes, citing the critical illness of 1980 AFCON winner Kadiri Ikhana as the latest example of the dire situation facing the country’s football legends, The PUNCH reports.

In a heartfelt statement on Monday morning, Odegbami revealed that Ikhana was fighting for his life at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Auchi, Edo State, whilst calling on government agencies and kindhearted Nigerians to intervene.

The former Nigeria No.7 expressed frustration at having to make yet another appeal for a critically ill former international, highlighting the pattern of neglect that has characterised the treatment of retired athletes.

“I wish I did not have to do this…again. But I have to because it is frustrating,” Odegbami said in his statement.

“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.”

The former Green Eagles star described the timing of Ikhana’s illness as particularly distressing, coming whilst the football community was still mourning recent losses.

“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,” he stated. Punch