Kadiri Ikhana who is a known name in Nigerian football, having rose to
prominence as a coach, coaching amongst numerous Nigerian clubs, the
Super Falcons and the Under-23 team, has appealed to football lovers
and well spirited Nigerians to come to his aid financially.
The former coach of the Under-23 national team who has also played in
the national team for seven years, winning the Nations Cup for Nigeria
for the first time in 1980 in Lagos.
Speaking on his ailments,ย Ikahna said he requires a hip replacement
surgeryย and has been battling the ailment quietly and can no longer
bear the burden alone.
“I retired from coaching because of the lingering injury which I
thought would go with meย quitting coaching altogether but I tell you,
if you see me now, to take a step is difficult for me. I thought I
could bear the costs alone as I have been treating it for a long time
and now I am at my wit’s end”.
The pioneer coach of Elkanemi Warriors FC of Maiduguri whose voice was
shaky all through the conversation, added that it had become necessary
for him to cry out because the pains from the injury has become
unbearable.
It could be recalled that Kadiri Ikhana played active football before
venturing into coaching. Aside playing for the National team, he
played for Nigerian Army, 1st Infantry Division Armed Forces,
representing Nigeria in two World Military Games, Bendel Insurance for
a period of five years winning trophies there and played for Abiola
Babes in Abeokuta before retiring.
Kadiri Ikhana has coached clubs like Elkanemiย Warriors, Kano Pillars
FC, BCC Lions of Gboko, Sunshine FC Akure, Sharks of Port Harcourt,
Enyimba FC winningย the Champions League the first in the country
2003/2004, Nassarawa United, to mention but a few before retiring from
coaching two years ago owingย to the injury.
