DAR ES SALAAM: Renowned African football legends, including former Arsenal striker, Emmanuel Adebayor are coming to decorate the charity match at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam on September 2nd this year.
Known as ‘All Africa Football Legend Charity Game,’ the event is organised by Kanu Nwankwo Heart Foundation whose proceeds are channelled to help children with cardiac diseases to obtain life-saving surgeries.
Briefing reporters in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Big Step Consultancy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Stephen Ojiekhodu said preparations for the big day are unfolding well.
He also seized the platform to call upon many people to attend the game and be part of the historical charity event that will be taking place for the first time in East Africa.
“Aside from seeing former legends playing, you will also indirectly support the initiative’s goals of raising funds to help children with heart problems,” he said.
According to him, the other African football legends who have confirmed to take part are Samuel E’too, Daniel Amokachi, Emmanuel Eboue, Alhaji Diouf, Mark Fish and many others.
On his part, Union of Tanzania Soccer Veterans Chairman Paul Lusozi described this as a big thing that is happening in Tanzania and East Africa for the first time.
“We are excited by this event and as former football players, we are going to offer full cooperation to ensure that this charity match attains its intended target,” Lusozi said.
He also drummed up hope for many people to come and have a once in a lifetime opportunity to see former African players who made it big in the football industry within and outside Africa.
He then named some Tanzanian legends who will be engaged in the event as Juma Pondamali, Makumbi Juma, Sunday Juma, Bakari Malima, George Masatu, Hussein Ngurungu, Sunday Manara and others.
Kanu, the former Nigerian skipper and Arsenal striker first had heart surgery in November 1996 to correct a faulty aortic valve and after a year out, he returned to action for Inter Milan and in February 1999, he joined Arsenal.
The experience prompted him to set up a foundation and build five hospitals in Africa to treat undiagnosed heart diseases and provide surgery.
He announced his retirement from international football at the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa and his individual honours include African Footballer of the Year awards in 1996 and 1999.
