Amputee Football: Kano Pillars, Phoenix FC Set Up Thrilling Final

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

Defending champions Kano Pillars and Lagos-based Phoenix FC have booked their places in the grand finale of the 2025 Nigeria Amputee Football Championship.

This followed dominant semifinal displays that thrilled fans and showcased the very best of amputee football talent in the country.

The weeklong championship — a celebration of resilience, skill, and inclusion — brought together some of Nigeria’s finest amputee footballers in a fiercely contested display of sportsmanship and determination.

Beyond the national pride at stake, the tournament also serves as a talent-hunting platform, with top performers expected to be selected to represent Team Nigeria at the 2025 Amputee World Cup in Liberia, Costa Rica later this year.

In the first semifinal, Kano Pillars reaffirmed their status as the team to beat with a convincing 3–1 victory over Niger FC. Star forward Usman Ahmed was the hero of the match, netting a brilliant first-half hat-trick in the 6th,13th and 20th minutes to put the defending champions in firm control.

Niger FC’s Abubakar Ishaku pulled one back in the 34th minute, but it was too little, too late, as Pillars comfortably saw out the game to keep their title defense alive.

Phoenix FC of Lagos also made a bold statement in the second semifinal, crushing Plateau FC with an emphatic 4–0 win. The Lagos side’s attacking duo of Onyekhaozuru Collins and Michael Joel proved unstoppable — Collins struck twice early in the game (8th and 13th minutes), before substitute Joel – the tournament’s top scorer, added a brace of his own in the 23rd and 34th minutes to seal the rout.

With that result, Plateau FC will battle Niger FC in the third-place playoff on Friday, while fans eagerly anticipate a blockbuster final between Kano Pillars and Phoenix FC.

Speaking after the semifinals, Paul Maduakor, President of the Nigeria Amputee Football Federation (NAFF), commended the players for their exceptional performances and sportsmanship, describing the championship as “a beacon of hope for physically challenged athletes across Nigeria.”

“I am proud of what I’m seeing,” Maduakor said. “These athletes are proving that physical challenges are not limitations but opportunities to showcase strength, skill, and resilience. This championship is more than just football — it’s a platform for empowerment and personal growth.”

He also called on the private sector and state governments to invest more in amputee football, emphasizing the sport’s capacity to transform lives and create opportunities for persons with disabilities.

“Many of our players now ply their trade abroad and are improving their lives through the game,” he noted. “With more support from the private sector, we can build an even stronger environment where persons with disabilities can thrive.”

Maduakor further extended appreciation to the National Sports Commission for its continued partnership and logistical support, which he said ensured the successful hosting of the 2025 edition of the championship.