Heartland FC goalkeeper, Edwin Nwakanma, who was allegedly abandoned by the team has finally been discharged to continue his next phase of recuperation.
A statement by the club clarified that the bureaucracy involved in sorting out funds to offset his bills was what delayed his discharge from the hospital.
Nwakanma hailed the state government and management of the team for coming to his aid adding that he will speedily work towards recovery to be able return to action.
Nwakanma suffered a leg break barely two games into the ongoing league season in a practice game and a successful surgery was performed on him to ensure he gets a chance at returning to football in the next few months.
The statement reads: "There were a little hiccup that delayed his discharge from the hospital for a few period of time due to bureaucracy but the agile goalkeeper got the opportunity to return to his family and friends last weekend and Nwakanma was delighted there was light at the end of the tunnel at long last."
According to Nwakanma: "I want to thank the great family like this. I want to thank His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Honourable Emeka Okoronkwo, and Heartland FC Coordinator, Casmir Mbachu, the General Manager, Promise Nwachukwu and Heartland Head coach, Christian Obi, the Team Manager and all my teammates for their care. They have always been here to check up on me and encourage me.
"I am going back home and I am happy to reunite with my loved ones. I pray that the injury heals and goes according to plan so that I can resume my career before too long."
While speaking earlier, the Heartland FC General Manager, Promise Nwachukwu tasked Nwakanma to be grateful to God despite the experience he had.
He prayed to God to grant him speedy recovery so that he can return to the sport very soon and he also admonished the goalkeeper to follow all the instructions from the doctors so that he won't not any relapse throughout the healing period.
"We need to be grateful to God in all situations. We thank God that the waiting game is over and you can go home and reunite with your family. We are sorry about what you went through. We pray that you receive accelerated healings for you to come back to football very soon."
The Heartland FC Coordinator, Casmir Mbachu bemoaned the negative reports that trailed his inability to leave the hospital on time and he advised Nwakanma to desist from friends who would not add value to his life.
He said all those making noise on social media have only come to aggravate the issue.
"All those making noise on the social media. How many of them were there for you? It is only the person that wears the shoe that knows where it pains him. It is only you that can tell those that are there for you.
"It is not about publicizing it on the pages of newspapers and going to the social media. It can't do anything meaningful. They will just make noise while the issue is still there unresolved."