Veteran Nigerian indigenous coach, Kadiri Ikhana has provided an update on his current health status, as he steps up his battle against a debilitating ailment, and disclosed that he still needs a lot more money for an upcoming surgery; even as he thanked former Super Eagles’ winger, Victor Moses for supporting him with a princely sum of N1m, megasportsarena.com gathered.
While adding that former Eagles’ assistant coach, Imama Amapakabo also gave him N100, 000 for the same purpose, Ikhana, who was a member of Nigeria’s winning team on home soil at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, then went on to coach Enyimba of Aba, Kano Pillars, Sharks of Port Harcourt and the female national team, Super Falcons, said the money will be used for surgery to correct the nagging health defecting that has held him down for several months.
The highly-respected tactician also revealed that Moses was emotionally moved after hearing about his health ordeal and opted to support him financially in order to speed up his surgery, a gesture Ikhana admitted was a pleasant surprise to him and expressed appreciation to the ex-Crystal Palace, Wigan Athletic, Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham United of England player.
He added that he is indebted to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner, who has also played for Fernebahce of Turkey and is currently on loan from Chelsea of England to Inter Milan of Italy; while also praying for more blessings to the crafty winger-cum-right-wing-back from reaching out to aid him at a most timely moment in his treatment process.
While acknowledging that a lot more is still needed to offset his medical bills, Ikhana enthused that what he has received from Moses will go a long way to help him regain his health and then prayed that other well-meaning Nigerians, football fans and philanthropists would also come out to support him.
The first coach to win the CAF Champions League for Nigeria, which he did with Enyimba in 2003, added that he requires more money for a hip replacement surgery, as he has been battling the injury for a long time but can no longer bear the burden alone; hence his decision to appeal for more financial help to help him fully overcome the niggling discomfort with another major surgery.
Ikhana, who has also handled Nigeria’s home-based Eagles and under-23 squad, told FCnaija: “I have been getting support from different quarters. Victor Moses gave me N1m while sports ministry also supported me with half a million. Imama gave me a hundred thousand too.
“God will bless them. I know the money won’t be enough to foot my bill but it will help me a lot in my effort to get my life back. I will be going for my final surgery in Abuja soon. I m grateful to Alliance Hospital in Abuja for not asking for a dime after surgery. I really appreciate their support.”
