Femi Otedola, the billionaire
businessman, has offered to foot the medical bills of Christian Chukwu, former
Super Eagles’ coach.
Chukwu, one of Nigeria’s most influential footballers in history who captained
the national team to their first Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980, is
suffering from prostate cancer which has affected his leg.
Although the surgery on his leg
has been done, he reportedly needs an additional $50,000 for the prostate
operation.
Norbert Okonkwo, media officer of
Enugu Rangers, revealed that the Enugu state government donated N1.5
million for the leg surgery.
In the first two days, a GoFundMe
appeal raised $4,305 of the $50,000 needed for further treatment.
Speaking to TheCable on phone,
Otedola said he would foot the entire cost of the operation as a “token of
support to a great Nigerian who served his country to the best of his ability”.
Otedola previously settled the
medical bills of the veteran actor, Victor Olaotan, who was at risk of double
amputation following a ghastly car accident in 2016.
 |
| Chukwu lifting the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980 with a smiling President Shehu Shagari watching |
A patron of Chukwu’s former club,
Enugu Rangers FC, Benson Ezeomeogo Ejindu, broke the news of the ailment at the
weekend.
Chukwu also captained the Enugu
Rangers FC team that won the Africa Cup Winners’ Cup in 1977.
He was nicknamed ‘Chairman’ for
his authority on the field as a central defender.
Chukwu also served as assistant
coach of the first team to win a FIFA World Cup trophy for Nigeria – the Golden
Eaglets that triumphed at the FIFA U16 World Cup in China in 1985.
He was also assistant coach of
the team tagged the Golden Generation – the 1994 Class of Super Eagles that
qualified Nigeria for her first FIFA World Cup finals.
As assistant coach, he helped
Nigeria win the Africa Cup of Nations title and reached the round of 16 at the
FIFA World Cup in America .
Between 2002 and 2005, Chukwu was
head coach of the Super Eagles, leading the team to bronze medal at the 2004
Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia.
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