Nigeria’s Special Eagles made history by beating Liberia 1–0 to become champions of the first West Africa Para Games in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and the win was fuelled by a powerful halftime incentive from their federation boss.
At halftime, with the match still goalless, the President of the Nigeria Amputee Football Federation (NAFF), Ambassador Paul Maduakor, stepped up with a bold promise: ₦200,000 to the team if they won, plus ₦20,000 for every goal scored. The pledge clearly lit a fire under the squad.
Spurred by the extra motivation, Nigeria returned in the second half with renewed vigour, eventually finding the breakthrough to seal a historic 1–0 victory and claim the gold.
The triumph is even more symbolic, given that this was the inaugural West Africa Para Games, making the Special Eagles the continent’s first champions of the tournament. The win cements Nigeria’s standing as a powerhouse in para sports across West Africa.
Ambassador Maduakor, whose federation also oversees the Special Falcons, has been widely credited for his leadership and vision. In January 2025, he unveiled a bold roadmap to develop amputee football nationwide, outlining plans for national leagues, regular national championships, zonal tournaments, and expanded support for both male and female amputee teams.
In a statement after the final whistle, Maduakor praised the players for their grit and resolve. “Today, you have written history, not just for yourselves, but for every amputee athlete in Nigeria,” he said.
The victory sends a strong message to both the sporting community and corporate sponsors: para football in Nigeria is no longer on the periphery, it is now central to the country’s sports landscape.
With this triumph, the stage is set for even bigger ambitions. Under Maduakor’s leadership, the NAFF has signaled readiness to invest in grassroots development, elite training, and broader inclusion, laying the foundation for Nigerian amputee football to flourish on the global stage.
