Ex-Super Eagles of Nigeria midfielder, Emmanuel Ebiede, has passed away at the age of 47 following liver complications.
The ex-Heerenveen and Sharks of Port Harcourt midfielder died at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) after a bout with illness that resulted in hepatomegaly complications.
Ebiede was survived by his wife and two kid.
Ebiede made three senior caps for the Super Eagles, making his debut under Serbian manager Bora Milutinovic in a 1-0 win over Iran in a preparatory friendly match played ahead of the 1998 World Cup in France.
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United Kingdom-based football administrator, David Doherty confirmed the death of the former SC Heerenveen player.
Doherty said, “I just spoke with the daughter who confirmed to me that Emmanuel is dead.
“I’m very sad as we speak. This was someone whom I spoke with two days ago to know how he was faring.”
Doherty had gone on a campaign to raise funds for Ebiede’s treatment at the time the news broke about his condition.
Although Ebiede failed to make the team for the World Cup, he played two more times for Nigeria.
His first involvement with a national team setup came in the African Youth Championships in 1995, held in Nigeria, where the Flying Eagles eventually came third, losing to Cameroon in the semifinals.
Ebiede started his career with his hometown team, Sharks of Port Harcourt, before moving to Europe with Belgian club Eendracht Aalst. He also played in the Netherlands with Heerenveen as well as in the UAE with clubs like Al Jazira, Al Ain, and Ashdod before moving to Israel with Maccabi Petah Tikva and Hapoel Bnei Lod.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in a tweet has mourned the late midfielder.
“The Nigeria Football Federation mourns the passing of former national team player, Emmanuel Ebiede, who died in Port Harcourt on Friday, 14th April at the age of 47 after battling with hepatomegaly. May his soul Rest in Peace,” the tweet said.
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