Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, has urged the Federal Government to look into the plight of ex-players, some of whom, he said, are living in abject penury.

Musa said only a few of the retired players earned big money when they were active, adding that they lived a larger than life existence in their active days because of the glamour associated with the game.

Speaking during the Lagos launch of the ‘Let’s Do It Again’ campaign, which aims to garner support for the national team’s dream of winning their fourth Africa Cup of Nations title next year in Cote d’Ivoire, Musa told Sports Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh, who was also at the event: “We need something from you that will take care of old players. I always hear people complaining that footballers make so much money and squander it; which is not true.

“We, the current players, have learnt from the past generations, because after football it seems nobody cares about you again. Some of us don’t have that privilege to go to clubs that pay big money. Some players devoted their youth to the service of the country and on retirement expect the same country to appreciate their sacrifices.

“Many retired players are suffering from diseases associated with the way they handled their bodies during their active careers. Many cannot walk well now, but the same country that adored and encouraged them to die on the pitch has abandoned them. It is not fair.”

The ‘Let’s Do It Again’ campaign, which was launched in Lagos last week, is to galvanise support for the Super Eagles ahead of the Cote d’Ivoire 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.

At the launch, which held at Alliance Francais premises in Ikoyi, the organisers urged Nigerians to drop their negative attitude to the senior national team players, saying that the players will only play well if they know that their compatriots are behind them.

Musa said he would take the campaign for another Africa Cup of Nations’ success to his teammates to show them that Nigeria still cares for them.

“We need the encouragement from the ‘Lets Do It Again’ campaign. I remember what happened when we won the trophy in 2013, there was no road for us to pass. I want to experience such celebration again,” he said.