Enyimba International FC striker Mfon Udoh is due back in full training “in a matter of days” as the Nigeria Professional Football League side disproved malicious report that he suffered stroke.
Udoh last featured for the six-time NPFL winners in a 2-0 defeat at FC IfeanyiUbah on 3 May.
A media report had earlier this week claimed the Super Eagles striker was down with stroke, but management of the Peoples Elephant has refuted such; stressing the news publication “is against the ethics, standards and good practice of journalism.”
“Mfon Udoh suffered a bout of common cold just after our Matchday 7 game against FC IfeanyiUbah in Nnewi,” the club said in a statement.
“When he had not recovered fully ahead of the trip to Dolphins on Matchday 9, he was referred to Wimpole Clinic Aba, one of the medical centres we partner with for observation by Dr. Onyeike Kalu.
“It was under intense scrutiny and after tests had been conducted was it discovered that Mfon Udoh’s cold had brought him facial nerve palsy, or Bell’s palsy, as it’s also called. This illness causes the loss of some facial movement, due to nerve damage.
“At no time was he paralysed or lost the ability to move himself. He remains active and has kept in touch with our Team Doctor, Ferdinand Ajere, who manages his physical therapy.”
Udoh also missed Nigeria’s 2-0 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying win over Chad.
In the meantime, the Aba club”s sports director Jude Ayanfudu has announced that the striker, who scored a record breaking 23 goals last season, “will return to full training on Monday”.
Fourth-placed Enyimba are at home to Nasarawa United in a Match Day 14 Glo Premier League fixture on Sunday.
