Kadiri Ikhana who is a household name in Nigerian football, having rose to prominence as a coach, coaching amongst numerous Nigerian clubs, the Super Falcons and the Under-23 team, has appealed to football lovers and well spirited Nigerians to come to his aid financially.

The former coach of the Under-23 national team who has also played in the national team for seven years, winning the Nations Cup for Nigeria for the first time in 1980 in Lagos, while speaking to Scorenigeria via telephone, says he requires a hip replacement surgery and has been battling the ailment quietly and can no longer bear the burden alone.

He said, “I retired from coaching because of the lingering injury which I thought would go with me quitting coaching altogether but I tell you, if you see me now, to take a step is difficult for me. I thought I could bear the costs alone as I have been treating it for a long time and now I am at my wit’s end”.

The pioneer coach of Elkanemi Warriors FC of Maiduguri whose voice was shaky all through the conversation, added that it had become necessary for him to cry out because the pains from the injury has become unbearable.

“I am coming out now because the pain is just too much. I need help and I won’t mind anything I just need help”, the quintessential coach concluded.

It could be recalled that Kadiri Ikhana played active football before venturing into coaching. Aside playing for the National team, he played for Nigerian Army, 1st Infantry Division Armed Forces, representing Nigeria in two World Military Games, Bendel Insurance for a period of five years winning trophies there and played for Abiola Babes in Abeokuta before retiring.

Kadiri Ikhana has coached clubs like Elkanemi Warriors, Kano Pillars FC, BCC Lions of Gboko, Sunshine FC Akure, Sharks of Port Harcourt, Enyimba FC winning the Champions League the first in the country 2003/2004, Nassarawa United, to mention but a few before retiring from coaching two years ago owing to the injury.