BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

A dark cloud continues to hang over Nigeria’s sporting community as yet another football icon, Kadiri Ikhana, battles for his life. The former Green Eagles defender and celebrated coach is currently critically ill and receiving treatment at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo State.

Kadiri Ikhana at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo State.

The sad news was made public by former Nigeria international, Segun Odegbami, in an emotional appeal on Sunday.

Odegbami, a teammate of Ikhana in Nigeria’s victorious 1980 Africa Cup of Nations squad, expressed deep concern over the increasing health and welfare challenges facing retired Nigerian athletes.

“This is frustrating,” Odegbami wrote. “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.”

According to Odegbami, five former athletes have died in the past four months, most of them at relatively young ages. While the causes remain uncertain, he warned that the physical toll of years of sporting activity may be contributing to the spate of untimely deaths.

He described Ikhana’s condition as “critical,” revealing that the former Bendel Insurance stalwart and Nigeria’s most successful domestic league coach was recently transferred to the specialist hospital for intensive medical care, including immediate blood transfusion.

The call for help was sparked by Austin Braimoh, former Chairman of the South-South Police Service Commission, who has so far covered Ikhana’s mounting medical expenses and alerted Odegbami to his condition.

In a frail voice during a moment of consciousness, Ikhana, popularly known as “Kawawa,” reportedly asked for prayers from Nigerians.

“That’s what I am doing now,” Odegbami wrote, urging the government of Edo State, the National Sports Commission, the Nigeria Football Federation, and kind-hearted Nigerians to come to Ikhana’s aid.

Kadiri Ikhana, MON, is widely revered not just for his time with the national team, but also for his success as a coach—guiding Enyimba FC to Nigeria’s first-ever CAF Champions League title in 2003 and contributing significantly to the growth of local football in the country.

Odegbami’s appeal comes amid a wave of sorrow, as news also emerged of the passing of two prominent national figures—former President Muhammadu Buhari and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona—on the same day, July 13.

“Death is on the prowl this season,” Odegbami concluded, attaching a recent photo of Ikhana and expressing his helplessness. “Please, let’s help him in any way we can. I do not know what else to say or do.”

The nation watches with bated breath, hoping for a miracle for one of its greatest football sons.

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BY LURWANU IDRIS MALIKAWA GARU

Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Aminu Maigari, paid a heartfelt solidarity visit to former Chairman of the defunct Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Ibrahim Galadima, who is currently recovering from surgery in Kano.

Maigari, who travelled from Bauchi for the visit, arrived at Galadima’s Dandali Fagge residence on Saturday, where he expressed joy over the steady recovery of the veteran football administrator.

“I feel very happy today. I have seen Galadima, and he is recovering fast,” Maigari told reporters. “He remains one of the pillars of Nigerian football and sports in general.”

The former NFF boss also offered prayers for Galadima’s continued good health and speedy recovery, extending his well-wishes to all others facing medical challenges both at home and in hospitals across the country.

In his response, Galadima expressed deep appreciation for Maigari’s visit, noting that the gesture reflected the enduring bond within the Nigerian football family.

“I am humbled that despite his tight schedule, Maigari made time to visit,” Galadima said.

“This visit is proof that the spirit of football goes beyond the pitch or administrative politics—it’s a family affair.”

The former NFA chairman also thanked members of the football community nationwide for their overwhelming support during his hospital stay and recovery process.

He expressed gratitude to government officials, traditional rulers, politicians, business leaders, and the public—both local and international—who visited or sent goodwill messages during his period of convalescence at a private medical facility in Kano.

“I was dazed by the love and care shown to me. It truly shows the unity and strength of our football family,” Galadima added.

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Prominent FIFA-licensed football agent John Shittu has issued a formal legal demand to former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia, seeking a full retraction and apology over alleged defamatory statements made against him about Nigeria’s 2008 Olympic football campaign.

In a letter dated and signed by his legal representatives, Godwin Dick Inyang & Co., Shittu categorically denied Siasia’s claim—widely reported in the media including Sahara Reporters and Soccernet.ng—that he offered Siasia a bribe of €50,000 to secure John Obi Mikel’s inclusion in the Nigeria U-23 team for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

The legal notice, addressed directly to Siasia, described the allegation as “false, malicious, and grossly defamatory,” adding that it had caused “reputational harm and professional injury” to Shittu, who is widely respected in the global football industry.

“Your statement is false, malicious, and calculated to disparage and lower our client in the estimation of his colleagues, clients, and the public, particularly in the tightly regulated world of professional sports management,” the letter stated.

Shittu’s legal team is demanding:

• A full and unreserved retraction of the alleged statement on Sahara Reporters, Soccernet.ng, and all other platforms that published it;
• Publication of the retraction in at least two widely circulated national newspapers, including The Punch and This Day;
• A formal, written apology addressed to Mr. Shittu and published on all aforementioned platforms;
• A written undertaking not to issue or publish any similar statements in the future;
• Payment of ₦250 million in damages for defamation, reputational injury, and consequential losses.

The legal notice further warned that failure to comply within 14 days of receipt will result in legal action against Siasia. The planned suit would seek aggravated damages, a restraining injunction, and full legal costs.

Shittu is well known in Nigerian and international football circles, having managed and represented top-tier footballers over the years.

 The gravity of the allegations, his legal team argues, is not only damaging to his personal and professional reputation but could also have implications in the closely scrutinised world of sports integrity and management.

As of the time of filing this report, Siasia has not publicly responded to the legal threat.

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