Former Super Eagles captain, Kanu Nwankwo, has confirmed that several African football greats, including Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha, Finidi George and Daniel Amokachi, will take part in the African Legends United Gala Match scheduled for later this month in Abuja.
Kanu disclosed this while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the African Continental Free Trade Area Festival (AfCFTA Fest) in Abuja on Thursday. He described the exhibition match as a special event designed to celebrate African football, culture and unity.
“It’s happening in Nigeria and the legends will be there. They will do what we know how to do, entertain the fans and make everyone enjoy the moment,” Kanu said.
He explained that the legends’ involvement goes beyond football, noting that the initiative is aimed at promoting African culture and supporting grassroots development across the continent.
“When you talk about legends, you find them all over the world, but this is about African legends. Hosting it in Nigeria means many of them will come out to support the cause,” he added.
According to Kanu, the gala match is also meant to inspire younger generations to appreciate Africa and remain connected to the continent.
“This is about giving back. We want the young ones to think about Africa and understand the value of the continent. That’s why we all agreed to be part of this event,” he said, confirming that he, Okocha, Amokachi and other former stars will feature in the match on March 28.
Also speaking, former Cameroonian international, Eyond Enoh, said the AfCFTA Fest would run from March 26 to March 28, with the African Legends United Gala Match scheduled for the final day at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Enoh described unity as one of the central values of the initiative, stressing that deliberate actions are needed to bring Africans together.
“Unity doesn’t just happen. You need initiatives to drive it. The differences between us are mostly colonial lines. I don’t see myself only as a Cameroonian; I see myself as an African,” he said.
He explained that the AfCFTA Festival seeks to shift focus from divisions to shared identity, aligning with its vision of continental integration.
“The idea is to move from the lines that divide us to the lines that unite us. That is what this festival represents. One Africa, one market, one future,” Enoh stated.
The AfCFTA Fest 2026 will feature several activities, including startup exhibitions, cultural showcases under the Heritage Waves category, and the African Legends United Gala Match, which is expected to be one of the highlights of the three-day event.
