Former Super Eagles captain and football legend, Kanu Nwankwo, has confirmed that he will feature alongside Jay Jay Okocha, Finidi George, Daniel Amokachi and several other African football greats in the African Legends United Gala Match.
Kanu disclosed this in an interview with journalists on Thursday on the sidelines of the African Continental Free Trade Area Festival (ACFTA Fest) in Abuja.
According to the former Arsenal striker, the African Legends United Gala Match, which forms part of the ACFTA Fest, promises to be a unique and memorable event.
“It’s happening in Nigeria and the legends are going to be there. They are going to do what we normally know how to do. We’ll perform and everybody will enjoy it,” Kanu said.
He explained that the legends were involved in the project not only for entertainment, but to promote African culture and empower grassroots development across the continent.
“When you talk about legends, you have legends all over the world. This is African legends. And being in Nigeria, all the legends are going to come out,” he said.
Kanu added that the initiative was also aimed at inspiring young Africans to embrace their identity and think positively about the continent.
“We are doing this to ensure that the young ones growing up can understand and think about their continent, which is Africa. And also the grassroots,” he said.
Describing the match as a way of giving back, the former Super Eagles star noted that this shared purpose was why many football icons agreed to be part of the event.
“It’s legends because we are giving back as well. That’s why we all agreed to be involved in this kind of event. So, myself, Jay Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi and others will participate in the match on March 28,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, former Cameroonian football legend, Eyond Enoh, said the ACFTA Fest would run from March 26 to March 28, with the African Legends United Gala Match scheduled for March 28 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Enoh said unity was one of the core values of the Legends match, stressing that unity does not happen automatically but must be driven by deliberate initiatives.
“You need initiatives to drive it. We have a lot of projects and promises, but the actions to drive them are a big deal,” he said.
He noted that despite colonial boundaries, Africans share a common identity.
“The only difference between Cameroon and Nigeria is a line that was drawn colonially. I don’t see myself just as a Cameroonian. I see myself as an African,” Enoh said.
According to him, the African Legends United Gala Match aligns with the broader vision of the African Continental Free Trade Area, whose motto is One Africa, One Market, One Future.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ACFTA Fest 2026 will feature several activities, including Startup Frames, Heritage Waves and the African Legends United Gala Match, all aimed at promoting African unity, culture and economic integration.
