Special Eagles dominate Burundi 11-0, secure quarterfinal spot in 2024 Amputee AFCON

By Asuquo

Posted on May 22, 2024

Nigeria’s men’s amputee football team, the Special Eagles, have qualified for the quarterfinals of the ongoing Amputee AFCON in Egypt after a resounding 11-0 win over Burundi in their final group match on Tuesday.

Striker Michael Jewell was the standout performer, scoring seven goals. Turkey-based Mohammad Grima added a hat-trick, and Olaa Buhachi netted another goal, making it an easy victory against the newcomers.

This comprehensive win ensured that the Special Eagles topped Group A comfortably, thanks to their superior goal difference over hosts Egypt.

Egypt had defeated Burundi 10-2 on Tuesday, following their goalless draw with Nigeria in the opening game last Saturday.

Nigeria will face the second-placed team from Group B in the quarterfinals on Thursday night. Liberia is expected to finish behind Morocco in that group, depending on the outcome of their late match on Wednesday.

Seven of the teams that advance to the quarterfinals will qualify for the 2026 Amputee World Cup in Morocco.

Nigeria’s best performance at the Nations Cup was a second-place finish at the 2019 edition in Angola, where they lost 2-0 to the hosts in the final.