Stephen Dunmoye
Late Super Eagles former defender, Mike Nkeonye Onyemachara, who died on May 5, will be laid to rest on July 7, 2023 in his home town, Umuanunu, Obinze, Imo State.
This was announced by the Family of the deceased.
According to a statement by the family, football legends and professionals, fans, friends and well-wishers are expected at the burial.
Lamenting the demise of their breadwinner, the family solicited support from Onyemachara’s former employers, clubs and football lovers to give the former Iwuanyanwu Nationale captain a befitting burial.
The statement signed by Onyemachara’s older brother, Johnson, reads: “As arrangements for the burial are being made, family members are also grappling with the challenge of completing a four bedroom bungalow project the deceased started a couple of years ago, but was unable to complete it.
“We need money to ensure the completion of the house before the burial, which has already been fixed for July 7, 2023.
“The family is, therefore, soliciting financial support from well meaning individuals and organisations to enable it complete the house and carry out the burial. Anybody wishing to assist the family in this regard should call Mr. Onyemachara Johnson E. on phone number 08033240595. Tributes and condolence messages are being received via jemeco ltd@gmail.com.
“Account details for financial assistance to the family shall be sent on request.” The family also wrote to the proprietor of Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Club of Owerri, now Heartland FC, Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, which was Onyemachara’s last club before he retired from the game.”
In the letter, the family formally informed the Ohaneze Ndigbo president of the demise of the former international defender, intimating him of the arrangements for his burial.
Onyemachara started his football career with Golden Guinea Breweries, Umuahia before moving to First Bank of Lagos, where he rose to become club captain. He left First Bank for ACB FC, also of Lagos, which he captained before moving to Iwuanyanwu Nationale of Owerri, another club that made him skipper.
He came to international prominence in 1989 as a member of Nigeria’s Flying Eagles’ squad, known for the famous Dammam Miracle of Saudi ‘89 FIFA U-20 World Cup tournament.
Onyemachara made his Super Eagles’ debut in a Senegal 1992 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Ghana in Kumasi, where former national team goalkeeper, Alloy Agu, lost a tooth defending the nation. He was also part of the Super Eagles’ team at the African qualifying matches of the USA ‘94 FIFA World Cup.
