By Daily Sports Nigeria on May 10, 2024

Former Super Eagles captain and 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner, Segun Odegbami, was the special guest of Nigeria’s Special Eagles – the country’s amputee football team – as they unveiled their kits ahead of the 2024 African Amputee Football Cup of Nations in Egypt from May 18 to 30.

The Nigeria Amputee Football Federation also opened its official store in Surulere, Lagos for the sale of men and women’s team merchandise such as jerseys, caps, mufflers, key holders, balls, tack suits and joggers.

Amputee football is played with seven players on each team (six outfield players and one goalkeeper). Outfield players have lower extremity amputations and goalkeepers have an upper extremity amputation. Outfield players use loft strand (forearm) crutches and play without their prostheses.

An elated Odegbami, who was also decorated by NAFF, charged the team to excel in Egypt.

“If you know my life, you will realise that everything I associate with becomes successful,” Odegbami said.

“You have a special challenge, something that those who say they are not special don’t have and it’s an opportunity for you to go beyond the ordinary. There are ordinary things, but what you guys have set out to achieve will make you greater heroes, even without the trophy. So, winning the trophy will only be a bonus.”

President NAFF, Paul Maduakor, stated that the opening of the store was in line with a project called ‘Raise an Eagle’ which was initiated to generate funds for the teams.

“Raise an Eagle is a project we want to use to diversify the means of supporting physically challenged athletes. Once you buy any of the merchandise, you are raising an Eagle and you can even go beyond that with more donations,” Maduakor said.

Captain of the men’s team Sarafadeen Oyeleke spoke on the team’s readiness for the Nations Cup.

“We are ready; the camp has been in great gear. Everyone has been putting in the best to make sure we go to Egypt and bring the trophy to Nigeria and also qualify for the World Cup in Morocco,” Oyeleke said.

“The president promised to change the face of amputee football. This is what we have been dreaming of and it’s going to go a long way towards making our lives better,” the captain added.

Nigeria finished second at the 2019 Amputee Nations Cup in Angola, losing 2-0 to the hosts.

Source Punch Ng

Posted May 10, 2024

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