Over a week since winning the 13th West African Deaf Football Championship, the Deaf Super Eagles have received no official recognition or rewards from the Nigerian government.
Marking an historic feat at the just concluded 13th West African Deaf Football Championship held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria’s Deaf Super Eagles, defeated the Scorpions of Gambia in a thrilling final to clinch their sixth continental title.
However, the Deaf Super Eagles have been met with a disheartening silence from the highest echelons of the Nigerian government.
This is in sharp contrast to their able-bodied counterparts, who are often showered with millions of naira, houses, and national honours after major victories.
The championship, organised by the Nigeria Deaf Football Association in collaboration with the West African Deaf Sports Federation and supported by ECOWAS, brought together top deaf football teams from across the region, including Nigeria, Gambia, the Niger Republic, and Liberia. Yet, while the Deaf Super Eagles emerged champions once again, the government has remained silent on their achievement.
In his congratulatory message, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Hon. Ayuba Gufwan, praised the team’s discipline and resilience but also underscored the inequality in how Nigeria treats its athletes.
“This victory is not just about football; it is a reminder that our deaf athletes, and indeed all athletes with disabilities, deserve the same recognition, respect, and reward given to their counterparts. The Commission will continue to advocate for fairness, inclusivity, and adequate support from government and stakeholders,” he said.
Sports analysts and disability advocates have expressed disappointment at the neglect, calling it another example of systemic discrimination. They note that while athletes with disabilities consistently make Nigeria proud on the international stage, they are too often left unrewarded and uncelebrated.
For the Deaf Super Eagles, the sixth title is both a triumph and a bitter reminder: in a nation where football is celebrated as a unifying force, their loudest victory has been met with silence from those in power.