By Victor Kanayo
A former Nigerian International, Emmanuel Ebiede, has reportedly passed on, aged 47.
Ebiede who played as a midfielder, according to his daughter, died at a hospital in Portharcourt, the Rivers State capital, South-South Nigeria on Friday evening.
Heritage Times HT reports that the former footballer was part of the Flying Eagles squad at the then African Youth Championship on home soil in 1995.
He made his debut for Nigeria in 1998 and played only two times for his country.
Ebiede joined Belgian First Division side, SC Eendracht Aalst, from boyhood club, Sharks of Port Harcourt in 1995.
Later on in 1997, he moved to SC Heerenveen in the Dutch Eredivisie.
Ebiede had further spells in the United Arab Emirates (1999-2004) and Israel (2006-2008) before he eventually retired from professional football career at home in 2011, with Nigeria Premier Football sides – Bayelsa United and defunct Sharks FC.
