Special Eagles unveil kits ahead of AAFCON tourney in Egypt

By Kazeem Akande

The Nigeria Amputee Football Federation has unveiled the team’s kits ahead of the Amputee African Cup of Nations (AAFCON) slated for Cairo, Egypt, from May 18 to May 30.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ex-Nigerian International, Segun Odegbami, unveiled the new ‘Special Eagles’ jerseys at the occasion in Surulere, Lagos , on Thursday.

Odegbami lauded the players for their resilience and commitment toward achieving the best in Africa as a team.

”We have Green, Flying Eagles, Super Eagles and Falconet, all those are normal footballers; but these special Eagles are the one that are challenged and when they succeed in their course, its like going beyond ordinary.

”I feel very honoured to be among the challenged of the eagles and I pray that Heaven will open doors of opportunities for them and they are going to win in that AAFCON tourney.

”They are some of the heroes you can find in Nigeria as they have surmounted what ordinarily we will take for granted.

”So, I wish them best of luck and I am looking forward to receiving them when they come back with the trophy,” he said.

According to him, the quality of the jerseys with the real colour of Nigeria cannot be over-emphasised.

”I am just recommending that we start embracing our home products as they reflect the true colours of the country.”

The former Super Eagles’ player said that the kits, produced by PROSTAR, an indigenous designer, were beautiful.

”I am exceedingly happy because it is home-made and that’s what our government is propagating, saying we should embrace our products and patronise them to advance our economy.

”These jerseys reflect national emblem and I bless the brand called Special Eagles and we need people to support them and patronise them also,” he said.

Also, Paul Maduakor, the President of the Nigeria Amputee Football Federation, said he felt elated when Odegbami honoured the Special Eagles invitation to unveil their kits.

Maduakor said that PROSTAR sport kits were initiated to support athletes with disability in the country.

”Raise an Eagle Project” is our watchword, where we diversify to give support to the challenged sportsmen and women.

”Once you buy our PROSTAR jersey products, you have given support to the Special Eagles and other physically challenged athletes out there.

”We diversify to give them better standard of living and at the same time encourage them to perform better during competitions,” he said.

He added that the Special Eagles are ever ready to make positive impact at the coming AAFCON in Egypt.

According to him, since the team has been there and performed well in Africa, it will do everything possible to perform better at the tournament.

”We have done everything possible about preparations and we can assure that they are going to make Nigeria proud.

”That’s the reason our jersey products are dedicated to support and encourage the challenged and that’s why we began ‘Raise the Eagles Project’ to support them,” he said.

NAN reports that Special Eagles are competing in the 2024 AAFCON with team’s from no fewer than 16 nations.

The tournament, initially planned to hold from April 19 to April 28, was, however, rescheduled to hold from May 18 to May 30.

Nigeria is in Group A with the host country, Egypt; Cameroon and Burundi.

Group B has Morocco, Liberia, Uganda and Senegal while Group C has Ghana, Kenya, Gambia and Algeria.

Group D comprises Angola, Tanzania, Sierra Leone and Rwanda. (NAN)

Edited by Dianabasi Effiong