A grassroots football coach, Benson Udeh has appealed to Super Eagles Star’s, Raphael Onyedika to look his way and support him in his ailment.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that Coach Udeh who has been restricted to a wheelchair for ten (10) years made the appeal in Awka, Anambra State.
Udeh said he was particularly happy with the quick rise of Onyedika from an amateur player about four years ago to an international and professional player.
“In collaboration with other coaches, we organised the trial camp where Onyedika was discovered in Onitsha. Am happy that he has risen to top flight football within a short time”.
“I was in touch with Raphael Onyedika for a while after he moved to abroad and had his first professional club signing but am wondering why he stopped talking my calls and responding to my messages on all contacts”.
Udeh said he was on sick bed at the orthopedic hospital after his spinal cord injury when he organised the trial where Onyedika was scouted in Onitsha
“ A seasoned football scout, Churchill Olisa, called me to organise a trial and I told him I am bedridden but he was surprised how I was going to do it, I then called some clubs including Ozalla FC and Obosi United and told them I was not going to be there because of my condition but they should attend.
“The trial was held at St Charles College football field, at the end only Raphael Onyedika and Stephen Offor were selected, they both moved to FC Ebiede but only Onyedika scaled through because he was more mature.
“Today, he is a huge success, playing for the national team just after three years. Only God’s favour can do it and I can say I participated in that success through that trial which was organised from the sick bed.
“I followed up his progress in camp after he was selected, made sure he sorted out his issues with his coach and the scout until he moved to Denmark and that was how cut off communication with me.
“Why I am saying this that I need his help, I need money for medical upkeep and food, God has blessed him,” he said
Udeh said he was not speaking from the point of entitlement but a passionate appeal to help him stay alive
