The organisers declared that the match was meant to honour former football stars who worked relentlessly to make Nigeria and Africa recognized in world football.
Nigeria’s football legends defeated Team Africa 2-1 in an exhibition match at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos State, to bring CANEX WKND 2026 to a close.
The match, known as the Legends Football Game, was organised by TopTier Sports Management in partnership with Bet9ja.
According to a statement released by TopTier Sports Management on Monday, the match featured former Nigerian football stars who were part of the teams that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and the gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Nigeria’s team included Jay-Jay Okocha, Samson Siasia, Daniel Amokachi, Finidi George, Mutiu Adepoju, Garba Lawal, Victor Ikpeba and Austin Eguavoen. She said she was happy that the event brought football stars from across Africa to Lagos.
The African team gave Nigeria a tough challenge, but the home side eventually secured the victory.
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, scored the winning goal for Nigeria.
The Chief Executive Officer of TopTier Sports Management, Chichi Nwoko, said the idea for the match started during a discussion with the Vice President of Afreximbank about organising a football event.
She said she was happy that the event brought football stars from across Africa to Lagos.
“I am fulfilled and glad that we had an opportunity to bring Africa to Lagos,” Nwoko said.
She added that the event came at the right time, as it marked 30 years since Nigeria won Olympic football gold in Atlanta in 1996.
According to her, the match provided an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the players who made Nigeria proud at the competition.
Nwoko thanked the former players, the Federal Government, the National Sports Commission, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and Bet9ja for supporting the event.
The organisers said the match was organised to honour former football stars who helped build Nigeria’s and Africa’s reputation in world football.
They also said the event was aimed at drawing attention to the welfare of retired athletes and the opportunities available to them after leaving professional football.
