By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

A grassroots football coach, Benson Udeh, has appealed to Super Eagles player, Raphael Onyedika, to look his way and support him in his ailment which has restricted him to a wheelchair for 9 years.

Making the appeal in Awka, the Coach who has been bed ridden since 2016 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.

According to him, he in collaboration with other coaches organised the trial camp where Onyedika was discovered in Onitsha, Anambra State.

While congratulating Onyedika for rising to top flight football within a short time, he recalled that he was in touch with the star player for a while after he moved abroad and had his first professional club signing but expressed worry that he stopped talking his calls and responding to his messages on all contacts they shared.

Udeh said: "I was on sick bed at the orthopaedic hospital after my spinal cord injury when I organised the trial where Onyedika was selected 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 my 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 he cut off communication with me.

“Why I am saying this is that I need his help. I need money for medical upkeep and food, God has blessed him. I am not speaking from the point of entitlement but a passionate appeal to help me stay alive."

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