TheCable

Waidi Akanni, former Super Eagles player, hosted some retired Nigerian football stars for a ceremonial match in Lagos state over the weekend.

The event, held on Sunday at the NITEL Training Ground in Oshodi, had in attendance popular Nigerian footballers from the 1980s and 1990s.

According to Akanni, the initiative is aimed at reuniting past football icons and to ensure they “reap bigger financial benefits” in the long run.

“I am extremely delighted by the success of this gathering and even more delighted that the old spirit of competition during our playing days easily gave way to friendship which brought about good memories,” Akanni said.

“I intend this event to be an annual event and hope to sell this project to more corporate sponsors to ultimately enable the ex-footballers to reap bigger financial benefits.”

Among the ex-football players that participated in the match include Nojeem Farawe, Fatai Amoo, Tarila Okorowanta, and Wasiu Ipaye of old First Bank FC.

Others include Godwin Okpara, Jide Oguntuase, Olusegun Fetuga, and Festus Odini  — the quartet who first blossomed in the cadet national team before playing for the Super Eagles.

Also present were Stationery Stores’ stalwarts including Ifeanyi Aghenu, Taiwo Oloyede, Julius Akpele, Akeem Ogunlade, Sunny Ilevbare, and Bode Babington.

Similarly, Julius Berger FC’s Shakiru Giwa, Mba Agbai, his colleague, as well as Tony Gbemudu and Kola Lijoka were in attendance.

Friday Elaho, Friday Ekpo, and Uche Akubike also graced the event alongside Abiodun Obafemi and Joseph Dosu of the Atlanta ’96 Olympic gold-winning Nigerian team.

During the match, Team G-Heritage Multilinks defeated Team 36 Lions 4-3 on penalty shootouts.

Trophies and cash prizes were awarded to the winners, runners-up, best goalkeeper, best midfielder, best defender, and best striker.

The event also had in attendance operatives of the Nigerian army who were on the ground to ensure normalcy at the venue.