‘From GRACE to GRASS – Former Super Eagles star shares his story

Femi Opabunmi, once regarded as one of Nigeria’s most promising footballers, was forced to retire prematurely in 2006 due to serious glaucoma that left him blind in one eye. At just 39 years old, he recently shared his harrowing journey from being a rising star in the Super Eagles team to battling financial hardship and contemplating suicide after losing his career.

Opabunmi, who began his career at local clubs before moving to Europe to play for Grasshoppers Zürich, Hapoel Be’er Sheva, and Chamois Niortais, revealed that his eye condition began during a game in France. After undergoing multiple surgeries without success, he was eventually forced to quit football.

‘My own situation cost me a lot [of millions], not 30, 40! But I thank God I’m still alive..even though I went totally broke, even to see one naira is very difficult..it got to a stage I wanted to kill myself, but I appreciate God. God restored my eyes and I can see again in life – that’s a great achievement,’ an emotional Opabunmi naratted per Vanguard.

‘When I was playing in the second division in France [Niort FC], I was playing in a game, then I went up to head the ball and I couldn’t see anything. I saw like…clouds..I saw nothing. So we had to go to a specialist, I went to Romania, I went to UK, I travelled all the way to America

‘When they gave me the result, I went back to the eye specialist in France. Then, when he saw the result, he said my case is complicated…..that I have to go for operation – that if I don’t operate my [eyes] within 10 days, I will be totally blind.’

‘You know as a small boy, I was jittery.  I didn’t have a choice, I had to go for the operation. And after the operation, I was blind for 17 days, I could see nothing.  It was a very bad moment then.’

‘When Oyinbo man says your case is complicated, you know that…it’s not medical, you have to pray [so I prayed a lot], but I thank God. God answers prayers,’ he submitted.

Despite his challenges, Opabunmi has found purpose as the head coach of Alamu Football Academy in Osun State. He now holds a CAF-C coaching license and is aspiring to acquire a CAF-B license to continue his career in football coaching. His story is a testament to resilience, as he continues to push forward, hopeful for better days ahead.