Sports ministry, NFF rally support for ailing Brodericks-Imasuen

The Federal Ministry Of Youth And Sports Development and the Nigeria Football Federation have started moves to help ailing U-17 World Cup-winning coach, Sebastian Brodericks-Imasuen, whose failing health was first published by The PUNCH on Tuesday.

Brodericks-Imasuen, 84, who led the Golden Eaglets to win the inaugural U-17 World Cup in 1985 in China, had been diagnosed with Ischemic stroke since December 2022 and has been receiving treatment at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital for over a month, our correspondent gathered.

Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks or narrows an artery leading to the brain. The blood clot often forms in arteries damaged by the buildup of plaques (atherosclerosis).

Media adviser to the sports minister, Toyin Ibitoye, told The PUNCH that Brodericks-Imasuen will recieve support from both the sports ministry and the NFF.

“The minister of sports has ordered that immediate support be rendered to Sebastian Brodericks-Imasuen,” Ibitoye told The PUNCH.

“The Nigeria Football Federation is also planning some support for him as well. We just hope that all things go well for him and the family.”

The highly rated coach, an ex-international, also led the Eaglets to the final of the U-17 World Cup in Canada in 1987, where they lost their title to Russia. He also steered the team to a quarter-final finish two years later in Scotland, where they bowed to Saudi Arabia in the last eight.

Brodericks-Imasuen tutored the likes of former African Footballer of The Year Victor lkpeba, Victor Igbinoba, Fatai Atere, Philip Osondu, Bawa Abdullahi, Lemmy Isa, Dimeji lawal, Jonathan Akpoborire, Nduka Ugbabe, Godwin Okpara, Kayode Keshinro, Babajide Oguntuase among others.