NIGERIA'S former number one goalkeeper, Best Odegengbe, is lying in coma at the University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, where he went for an eye surgery.

A source close to the former IICC and Abiola Babes goalkeeper told The Guardian that Ogedengbe's case is so serious that he is only still alive with the aid of a life support machine.

According to the source, Ogedengbe went to Ibadan for a corrective eye surgery, but he went into coma after the operation and needs urgent medical attention abroad to survive.

"Best needs the assistance of Nigerians to live now. He has been in coma since Monday and he is only alive because they put him on a life support machine.

"It is unfortunate that his family cannot afford the cost of treating him abroad, so they have resorted to pleading with good natured Nigerians to help save his life," he said.

Best Ogedengbe was one of the heroes of Nigeria's first victory at the African Nations Cup, which the country hosted in 1980.

He was also in the IICC team that won the defunct African Cup Winners Cup in 1976.

During his career, Ogedengbe took part in many Nations Cup finals, as well as the 1980 Olympic Games.