Former players of the defunct Udoji United Football Club of Awka will on July 30 engage retired internationals in a friendly game aimed at raising funds for families of their late colleagues.

The novelty match, scheduled for the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, will also serve as an avenue for all former players of the club to come together and look at ways of helping their indigent colleagues.

UDOJI UNITED – Dele Bob-Manuel(L), Ikem Udeh(c), and Robert Iweha(r), former players of Udoji United

Already, the planning committee, headed by Diewait Ikpechukwu and comprising former international, Emma Okocha, Enugu State Commissioner for Sports, Ofor Okenwa, Coach John Obuh, Akonam Obiefuna, Norbert Okolie and Ikem Udeh, have started working to make the event a success.

Speaking on the programme in Lagos at the weekend, the convener of Udoji United FC Old Players Association, Ikem Udeh, accompanied by Dele Bob-Manuel and Robert Iweha, said, “ former players of the club like Precious Monye, Ifeanyi Aghenu, Robert Iweha, Dele Bob-Manuel and Ndukwe Chukwu have all thrown their weight behind the event. Former Udoji United stars would face Enugu based ex-internationals in the novelty game.”

Udeh said the campaign is aimed at helping widows and children of the deceased players, who have been under untold hardship since after the demise of their breadwinners.

“We have lost such illustrious colleagues as Coach Willy Bazuaye, Charles ‘Charlie Parker’ Nduka, Kalu Umah, Herbert Anijekwu and trainer, Eddie Anyaegbulam. I have spoken to late Herbert Anijekwu’s wife and she expressed her happiness that at last some people want to look into her situation.

“I have spoken to the owners of the club, Oscar and Goddy Udoji, and they are well disposed to the idea. Jude Agada is also in on it.

“Before anything, we want to thank Oscar Udoji for giving us the platform to become what we are today. He is the head of the Udoji United family and we, as members, are grateful to him.”

Udeh disclosed the event is not only about raising and giving money to the families of their late colleagues, “we will also help some of our members secure jobs so that they can take care of their families.”