The 68-year-old ex-international, who was a member of the Green Eagles squad that won Nigeria’s first AFCON title in Lagos 44 years ago, is in critical condition and requires urgent medical intervention to save his life.

A former Nigerian captain, Segun Odegbami, broke the news that “Ikhana has been transferred to the specialist hospital after his condition deteriorated significantly.”

The immediate past Chairman of the South-South Police Service Commission, Austin Braimoh, has been footing the mounting medical bills to keep the football legend alive.

Ikhana, affectionately known as “Kawawa,” was a key figure in Nigerian football during the late 1970s and early 1980s as a defender for both club and country.

He was an integral part of the Bendel Insurance FC squad that dominated domestic Nigerian football at the end of the 1970s, before earning his place in the national team setup.