From Magnus Eze, Enugu
Though not much is known about blind football, the game is gradually gaining acceptability, following concerted efforts by stakeholders, especially Enugu-based Bina Foundation for People with Special Needs.
The participation of Nigeria’s team in the recently held Blind Football African Championships in Morocco, from September 14 to 26, 2022, was indicative that things are looking up for the game. Five top African nations made the championship.
Players from Nigeria, represented by the Star Eagles, as well as four other countries, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt and Morocco, had an intense but friendly competition for the cup, with Morocco being the defending champions. The Nigerian representatives were nurtured by Bina Foundation for People with Special Needs.
The last African championship was held in November 2019 in Enugu, Enugu State, and hosted by Bina Foundation, with eight countries in attendance, Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali, Niger, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Libya and Morocco.
Nigeria is a relatively new entrant to the game of blind football. However, being the youngest team in the competition did not stop the Star Eagles from bringing their best to Morocco. They won their first game against Côte d’Ivoire by 1-0.
The team comprised the following players: Oba Azubuike (captain), Innocent Enag, Okoye Ekene John, Okpalanze Izuchukwu, Ndubuisi Victor, Kwaghtsule Abraham, Biega Jeremiah, Chukwuebuka Ugwuoke (goalkeeper), Chukwuebuka Uzoewulu (team guide/coach) as well as other coaches, technical assistant, physiotherapist and doctor.
Special delegates accompanying the team and serving in different volunteer capacities while in Morocco included Dr. Amobi Chikwendu, director of sports, Bina Foundation and immediate past president of the Nigeria Para-athletic Federation, and Ifeoma Atuegwu, founder and president of Bina Foundation, regarded as the mother of blind football in Africa. Also, at the event was the director of international affairs for the foundation, Adaeze Atuegwu.
In 2019, the female blind team representing Nigeria, The Star Falcons, co-sponsored by Bina Foundation, debuted in Tokyo 2019 as the only West African team in the World Normalization Cup against Japan, working alongside many other countries.
Although blind football has been around for decades, most people are not familiar with the game. Like other games, blind football comes with strict rules as well as some modifications for safety.
The Star Eagles prior to the competition trained for weeks at Bina Foundation Blind Football Academy, working on their skills in preparation to face the toughest African blind football teams.