With a disappointing FIFA World Cup winding down this Sunday, Nigerians have another shot at a global honour when the Amputee World Cup begins.
The football tournament for disabled persons is scheduled to take place between October 24 and November 5, 2018, in Mexico.
It consist of seven footballers, six outfield players and one goalkeeper, outfielders have lower extremity amputation, while goalkeepers have upper extremity amputation.
Nigeria will be making their debut at the showpiece.
The team hopes to follow in the footsteps of the country’s disabled athletes who won eight gold medals at the 2016 Paralympics, along with two silver and two bronze medals, to finish 17th in the medal table and top among African countries.
“We are the best all over the world so whatever we do we excel,” said skipper Emmanuel Ibeawuchi, a 38-year-old bus conductor, citing the success of Nigerian disabled athletes across a range of sports.
“There is no difference between one leg and two legs in terms of football because it is the same rules,” added the father-of-three who has played the game since his lower right leg was amputated a few inches below his knee.
Team coach Victor Nwewe said this makes disabled athletes less visible, a factor that affects the confidence of some players.
“We have put it in them that they should see themselves as equally good as an able person,” he said, arguing that his team, known as the Special Eagles, can outperform their counterpart’s short-lived appearance at the World Cup in Russia.
“Since then all of them have the confidence now that they can even do better than the able-bodied,” he said.
