By Goodness Ndukuba, Awka on July 22, 2025

Coach Benson Udeh, a grassroots football coach in Anambra state, has appealed to Super Eagles Star, Raphael Onyedika to look his way and support him in his ailment.

Udeh, who has been restricted to a wheelchair for ten years made the appeal on Tuesday in Awka.

Recalled that Udeh sustained spinal cord injury following an auto crash on Nnewi-Oba expressway on his to the final of Anambra Academical Cup football competition in 2016. 

He was leading Aguluezechukwu team then as coach to a final match against Isuaniocha at the Rojenny Stadium, Oba in the state.

He 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.

Udeh, who has been down since 2016, said he in collaboration with other coaches organised the trial camp where Onyedika was discovered in Onitsha and congratulated him to have risen to top flight football within a short time.

He said he was in touch with Raphael Onyedika for a while after he moved to abroad and had his first professional club signing but wondered why the player stopped taking his calls and responding to his messages on all contacts they shared

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, Onitsha, 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.

Source Daily Sports Nigeria

Posted July 22, 2025

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