Exclusive: FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Boy Sani Emmanuel in Serious Predicament

Former Golden Eaglets star, Sani Emmanuel is in a very precarious situation following an unhealed leg injury (Achilles Tendonitis) that has kept him bedridden for so long.

The ex-Lazio player has revealed his current situation in an interview with Nigfooty.com Chief Reporter Oladele Emmanuel Abiodun after questions arouse about his current dark career situations.
Edo born Emmanuel started his playing career for My People FC, a Nigerian football Academy based in the Nigerian business capital of Lagos and which was run by the Synagogue Church of Nations before fortunes smile on him with an invitation to the Golden Eaglets team for the 2009 U-17 World Cup.

The 26-year-old then however went on to take the World by storm by playing and scoring all his five cadets championship goals from the bench to help Nigeria to a second place finish behind surprising winners Switzerland.

Sani Shehu Emmanuel was further named the tournament best player and second highest goal scorer.

Exclusive Interview with Sani Emmanuel

Oladele: Hello brother, all will be well, your present condition, hope things are under control?

Sani Emmanuel: Thanks brother, Long time.

Oladele: Yes, Is this a fresh injury again?

Sani Emmanuel: It’s what I have been suffering for long oh
Even during the under 17.
But I just had the surgery of one leg now and it’s remaining the second leg.

Oladele: But the surgery was successful?

Sani Emmanuel: Thank God!
One leg is okay!
I'm trying to raise money for the second leg.
It’s not been easy brother.

Oladele: Will you allow that we take the current situation to the media and solicit for help from NFF and other top officials?

Sani Emmanuel: Yes sir!
I have been looking for who can help me do that.

Oladele: Okay, When did you actually sustained this injury?

Sani Emmanuel: It’s nature!
It got worst during the under 17.
During our final training in Qatar.
You remember I couldn’t play full match then.
I was managing it.

Oladele: Like how much the surgery for the first leg cost and how much will that of the second leg cost?

Sani Emmanuel: The first leg was 2.7m.
The doctor said I will need same amount because it’s the same procedure.

Oladele: Where do you have the first surgery and I guess it's same place that you are going to have the second?

Sani Emmanuel: I was in America but the money was too much.
So I had one doctor at Surulere.
He did the first leg.

Oladele: So you are in Nigeria presently?

Sani Emmanuel: I'm in Abuja now

Oladele: Have you also gotten help from some of your former colleagues?

Sani Emmanuel: It was only Kenneth Omeruo who helped me with 200k then Ogenyi Onazi 150k.

They don’t reply my chat sir
It’s strange with footballers

Oladele: Prophet T.B Joshua is known to be your Spiritual Father, have you also gotten any help from him recently, either financially or spiritually?

Sani Emmanuel: Daddy has always been there for me and my family.
During the surgery,he gave me 300k.
And I always go there for prayers.
I really did not get help from people around.
At times I feel depressed about their reactions and all.
But it’s life, I just have to move on.
I sold all I had, I also borrowed money from some people which i am yet to pay.

Oladele: So if you have gotten money, you will need to come back to Lagos for the second leg?

Sani Emmanuel: Yes sir.
I still owe the doctor some money.

Oladele: Sorry, when did you have the first surgery and how is leg now?

Sani Emmanuel: The leg is fine, I had it last year.
I needed to wait after 9 months.
The leg is fine.

Oladele: Your Message to Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and good Nigerians who are willing to help?

Sani Emmanuel: I just want to ask for their help, I need help right now.
God will bless them all.

Oladele: I hope and believe that something good will happen. Get well soon bro, we will revert to you in due course. Thanks for your time.

Sani Emmanuel: Thank you.

We hereby use this medium to call on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and other good people of Nigeria to come to the rescue of Sani Emmauel who is currently facing his own time of wilderness. And thanks to Prophet T.B. Joshua, Kenneth Omeruo and Ogenyi Onazi for their support so far.

Published by Olamide Oyetunji