FORMER Super Eagles defender Mike Onyemachara has been confirmed dead at the age of 53.
The former youth international passed away in his home in the Ajegunle area of Lagos State on Friday night.
Onyemachara’s younger brother, Ogbonnaya, confirmed the report in a Facebook post yesterday.
“This is to officially announce the passing of our brother and son, Mike Nkeonye Onyemechara, MON,” he wrote.
“He died yesterday (Friday) evening in his sleep.
“He had complained of weakness and decided to have some sleep and didn’t wake up.
“This is a very devastating moment for the entire family and we wish to be allowed some time to mourn this heavy loss.”
Onyemachara was a member of the Nigerian squad that reached the final of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Saudi Arabia in 1989, where they lost to Portugal.
The squad is famous for the ‘Damman Miracle’ when they came back from 4-0 down to draw 4-4 with USSR before winning the quarter-final clash on penalties.
He played for Iwuanyanwu Nationale of Owerri (now Heartland) in the Nigerian top flight.
