Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has promised to support the nation’s amputee football team who are struggling for raised funds for the prosecution of the fast approaching World Cup in Mexico.
The Nigeria amputee team, who have failed to appear at the three previous World Cups due to inability of the team to raised funds and are on verge of missing out in the coming. The team engaged in crowd-funding early this month to help them travel to to Mexico.
However , The President of Nigeria Football Federation , Amaju Melvin Pinnick, alongside Super Eagles players have supported the team with funds, and the former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi has signify to contribute his quota.
“We’ve spoken to a representative of John Mikel Obi who has offered to help the team,” co-ordinator of fund-raising, Fred Edoreh, told BBC Sport.
“His support will come as a big boost, but right now the dilemma is to find the flights to get the squad to Mexico.
“Time is running out on us and with ticket costs increasing by the day towards our opening game against our budget, we are taking the hard decisions of sending the first team as first batch.
“This is to avoid heavier cost and also get the boys to settle down before the game against Brazil on Sunday.
“The first batch (eight players and coach) should have left today (Tuesday) but there were not enough seats on the last lap of the journey, from Mexico City to Guadalajara.
“Our travel agents are working hard to secure space for them by tomorrow, Wednesday. So they are expected to depart Lagos by 12 noon with Ethiopia Airlines.”
“This will help us to secure our presence and avoid a global sanction. Hoping with additional funds, the reserve team can depart on Thursday or Friday,” Edoreh Concluded.
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