This is a painful story of former Nigeria super Eagles player who went blind, broke and living a pitiful life after serving his country.
Former Nigeria Super Eagles player Femi Opabunmi was incredible for his the team when he was in service playing for the National team.
He studied at Methodist High School Ibadan and played for the Methodist High School Ibadan Old Boys.
Femi Opabunmi rose to stardom when he represented the Super Eagles in the World cup playing against his big players like David Beckham and Michael Owen but his promising career never reached its full potential.
The ex Nigerian star Opabunmi at the age of 16 finished the 2001 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago as the second highest goalscorer and the third best player of the tournament. The following year at 17, he was part of the Super Eagles to the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Opabunmi scored a goal to help Nigeria win the African U-17 Championships in 2001. With Collins Osunwa out with injury he became Nigeria’s key player at 2001 FIFA U-17 World Championship where he scored a hat-trick against Australia and won him the Silver Shoe as second highest goalscorer and also the Bronze Ball as third best player in the tournament, helping Nigeria to reach the final where they lost to France. He attracted attention from clubs such as Manchester United, Lyon and Celta Vigo.
He played for Nigeria and made his debut in 2002 against Kenya scoring the second goal in a 3-0 win. He was a participant at the 2002 FIFA World Cup playing against England in the last group stage match becoming the 3rd youngest player to ever play in the World Cup finals after Norman Whiteside and Samuel Eto’o. Thereafter, he has not been called again for the national team.
The painful story
Femi Opabunmi, who is currently based in Ibadan had to stop doing what he loves doing most ( playing football) as his talent become irrlevant following his eye problem.
Few years into a growing football career of Femi Opabunmi became blind in the right eye, a condition that could not be cured by the best medical practitioners. The eye infection was taken to different hospitals, different professionals and all could not avail a possible solution.
He was forced to retire from football in 2006 due to serious glaucoma, he lives with his wife and children in a small bungalow in Ibadan after he sold majority of his property to solves his eyes problem.
Femi Opabunmi is now the Head Coach of a Football academy in Iwo, Osun State, Alamu Football Academy, the first free football academy.
