THE Nigeria Football Federation and FIFA have expressed their condolences over the death of former Super Eagles midfielder Emmanuel Ebiede.
The ex-international died on Friday at the age of 47 after a protracted battle with a liver problem.
He was at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital in Port Harcourt receiving treatment when he passed away, after the state government and sports commission had come to his aid.
“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 NFF wrote on Twitter last night.
World governing body FIFA replied the NFF’s tweet with a message of sympathy.
“Sending our condolences to Emmanuel’s family, friends and everyone at @thenff,” FIFA wrote.
Ebiede, a creative midfielder, featured for the Flying Eagles at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations which Nigeria hosted in 1995.
Although the team did not qualify for the World Cup after failing to reach the final of the U-20 AFCON, Ebiede was one of the few standout players in Fanny Amu’s infamous ‘wobbling and fumbling’ squad.
He went on to earn two caps for the Super Eagles in tune-up friendlies ahead of the France 1998 World Cup but did not make the squad to the tournament.
Ebiede began his career with hometown club Sharks of Port Harcourt and took his game to clubs in Belgium, The Netherlands, United Arab Emirates and Israel before returning home to play for Bayelsa United and Sharks.
He retired in 2011.
