Super Eagles fringe player, Akeem Latifu, has called on Nigerians, especially football followers, to come to the aid of former star of the national team, Femi Opabunmi.
Latifu raised hope for Opabunmi last Tuesday when he paid the school fees of Opabunmi’s children, and gave him extra cash for upkeep with a promise to do more.
He said: “We can still do more to assist the former Super Eagles winger, who is in dire need of our assistance.
“The leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should come to his aid before things get out of hands. He needs our assistance now.
Opabunmi had asked for help from the NFF and well-meaning Nigerians as he has been unable to take good care of his young family.
“To eat at times is problem and even my children presently are at home because I don’t have money to pay their school fees.
“I think the only way NFF can assist me is to attach me to any of the national teams, even if as a curator; so that I won’t be relying on others to feed and take care of my family.
“No amount of money given to me now won’t be exhausted. What I need is something that will keep me engaged and meet my daily needs,” he had said.
Opabunmi, born on March 3, 1985, last played for Shooting Stars FC. On 2008, he went on an eye surgery and has not played professional football since then.
He played for a few clubs, including Grasshoppers Zurich (Switzerland) and Chamois Niortais (France).
He studied at Methodist High School, Ibadan, and played for the Methodist High School Ibadan Old Boys.
Serious eye problems stopped his career since 2006.
His goal helped Nigeria win the African U-17 Championships in 2001. With Collins Osunwa out with injury, he became Nigeria’s key player at the 2001 FIFA U-17 World Championship where he scored a hat-trick against Australia and that won him the Silver Shoe as second highest goal scorer and also the Bronze Ball as third best player in the tournament, helping Nigeria to reach the final where it lost to France.
He attracted attention from clubs such as Manchester United, Lyon and Celta Vigo.
He made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2002 against Kenya, scoring the second goal in a 3-0 win, and participated at the 2002 FIFA World Cup playing against England in the last group match, becoming the third 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.
You can contribute your own quota to his account: First Bank, 3058788201, Opabunmi Femi.
