Femi Opabumi: Nigerian Comedian Seyi Law Donates Money to Struggling Former Super Eagles Star

• Femi Opabunmi is one classic Nigerian footballer who never reached his potential as his career ended in 2006
• He represented the Super Eagles at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and was the third-youngest to feature at the event
• Comedian Seyi Law raised the alarm over the former player’s whereabouts and he has now sent him some money

Famous Nigerian comedian, Lawrence Aletile, whose stage name is Seyi Law, has sent some money to struggling former Super Eagles star, Femi Opabunmi.

At the age of 17 years and 100 days, Opabunmi became the third-youngest player to feature at the FIFA World Cup when he starred in a 0-0 game against England in Korea/Japan in 2002.

His career ended abruptly in 2006 after he started experiencing vision problems in one of his eyes.

The highly talented footballer then underwent eye surgery in 2008 and has not played professional football since then.

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Concerned about Opabunmi’s whereabouts, Seyi Law took to Twitter to ask for the contact information of the former Shooting Stars left-winger.

He wrote:

“I just saw the picture of the 2023 Golden Eaglets ( U17), and I remember FEMI OPABUNMI of the 2001 U17. Femi was a baller's baller. Sharp winger, but I heard family wahala ruined his life. Great potential lost. If you watched the 2001 U17 World Cup, you would probably understand my feelings.”

He continued to describe Opabunmi as a dream unfilfilled.

“Our Amuneke's dreamed replacement. Chai! Where's OPABUNMI? The year before the internet. Clips of his exploits in the 2001 U17 World Cup would have you drooling in awe. Life en.”

Nigerian publication, Punch confirmed the comedian eventually got in touch with the 38-year-old.

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“He had a lot of prospects, but it is so unfortunate what happened to him, and I was almost brought to tears when I was talking to him and explained to me how the issue started when he was in France and had to travel to the US to see a doctor.”

Seyi Law is said to have contributed financially towards the former Super Eagles player's cause.

Nigerians whose potential was unmet

Sports Brief earlier reported on Nigeria being a country blessed with football talents, with many players at home and abroad.

Many players have represented the country from a junior level before graduating to become top stars in the senior national team.

However, there are also tragic stories of Nigerians who failed to meet expectations and whose great potential was sadly unmet.