A former Nigerian player, who was a part of the Super Eagles squad that represented the country in Atlanta ‘96, Kingsley Obiekwu, is sighted by Nigerians at the Abakpa motor park in Enugu state loading and offloading passengers, goods as a commercial bus driver.
Lamenting his ordeals, Obiekwu, the father of five (5) children, said, he already has four (4) children at the Enugu state University of Technology he is responsible for, and that his last child is in Basic 5.
Obiekwu, who represented the Nigeria team between 1996 – 1999, admitted he is a commercial bus driver, said, all his efforts as a coach at club level, yielded no fruitful results as all the clubs owed him good amount of money.
He said he coached clubs such as: Rangers, IfeanyiUbah, Delta Force, Giant Brilla, and other clubs outside the country after his retirement from the Super Eagles team, but all seemed like an exercise in futility.
The ex gold medalist said, that is why he opted for other legal options that can put food on his table.
Some of Obiekwu’s team mates, such as, Joseph Dosu, one of foremost Nigerian goal keepers, expressed his disappointment and shock over Obiekwu’s plights.
Dosu is however grateful to God that, the former defender’s story is not beyond redemption, as it is not a health related problem.
Another Super Eagles player, Godwin Okpara, also lamented over the 47 years old player’s financial challenges.
The former players called on the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, to establish an insurance policy for Nigeria players ahead of their retirement.
However, Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa, is the only Nigerian player, who has reportedly donated money for the financial ailing player.
Ahmed Musa on Wednesday, donated the sum of N2million to Kingsley Obiekwu after seeing his pitiable story on social media.