Japan '93 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner, Emmanuel Okhenoboh, is down with stroke, and his siblings are appealing for help.
Maleke, as admirers fondly call him by his middle name, was the first choice goalkeeper of the Fanny Amun tutored boys who conquered the world about 33 years ago
He collapsed on the pitch while his team was playing the Edo State Football League game on the 28th of July 2026.
He was rushed to the Military Base Hospital, Airport Road, Benin City, from where he was referred to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).
He was later diagnosed with stroke in UBTH, which has confined him to his sick-bed and wheelchair as his siblings have been doing their best to sustain his treatment in the face of the heavy medical bills which have become a problem to foot. Since his siblings couldn't meet up with the bills in UBTH, Okhenoboh was taken home after few weeks in the hospital.
He lives at 16 Igbineweka Street, Off Okhoro Road, Benin City where local masseurs and physiotherapists are administering treatment on him. His elder brother Charles Okhenoboh says, "The bills are becoming a huge burden on us."
His younger brother, Francis Okhenoboh, also spoke with this reporter on the phone to reveal his condition while calling for help from well-meaning Nigerians for assistance.
His words, "We are appealing to the leadership of National Sports Commission (NSC), Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Edo State Football Association, Emma's teammates from his grassroots club to Golden Eaglets and beyond to come to his aid. We his family members have spent a fortune to sustain his treatment this past couple of months.
"It has not been easy, especially when we consider the economic situation of the country. But we have to save his life. Please fellow Nigerians help us to save Maleke. He has to live."
Okhenoboh was a key player in the Japan '93 squad of Golden Eaglets which also had the likes of Nwankwo Kanu, captain Wilson Oruma, Celestine Babayaro, Mobi Oparaku, Karibe Ojigwe, Manga Mohammed, Peter Anosike, Festus Okuogha, Charles Okonedo, Blessing Anyanwu, Festus Odini, Ibrahim Babangida, Abiodun Ogbebor, Destiny Iyonu, Eloka Asokuh, and Emmanuel Babayaro
●ACCOUNT DETAILS
Name : Emmanuel Okhenoboh
Account Number : 3116438356
Bank : First Bank
Phone No : 09035709856
Charles Okhenoboh
(Emmanuel's elder brother)
Phone No. 08025835133.
© DESMOND EKWUEME