Kanu, Eyong to lead African legends united gala match in Abuja

Former Super Eagles star, Kanu Nwankwo, and ex-Cameroon international, Enoh Eyong, are set to headline the African Legends United gala match scheduled to hold in Abuja as part of the ACFTA FEST activities aimed at promoting unity, grassroots development, and Pan-African collaboration.

Speaking in an interview, as at the sideline of a press conference prior to the event, Kanu described the event as a unique celebration of African culture, football heritage, and youth empowerment, noting that hosting the gala match in Nigeria adds to its significance.

“It feels good. The African Legends United Gala Match is going to be one of a kind. It’s happening in Nigeria, and African legends will be there to do what we know how to do, perform and entertain,” Kanu said.

He explained that beyond football, the initiative is designed to promote African identity and empower young people at the grassroots level. According to him, the presence of football legends is not just symbolic but a way of giving back to society.

“This is not just about being called legends. We are legends because we are giving back. We want young Africans to understand their roots, think about their continent, and see the possibilities,” he added.

Kanu confirmed that several iconic African footballers, including Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha and Daniel Amokachi, would feature in the match, expressing hope that all invited players remain fit ahead of the event.

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Also speaking, former Cameroon national team player, Enoh Eyong, said the African Legends United Gala Match would take place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, with activities running from March 26 to 28, while the main legends match will be played on Saturday, March 28.

Eyong said the initiative is built around unity, stressing that meaningful African integration requires deliberate actions rather than promises.
“One of our core values is unity, and unity doesn’t happen by itself. You need initiatives like this to drive it,” he said.

He noted that colonial boundaries should no longer define African identity, describing himself as an African first before nationality. “The difference between Cameroon and Nigeria is just a line drawn colonially. When I’m in Nigeria, I’m Nigerian. When I’m in Cameroon, I’m Cameroonian,” he stated.

According to Eyong, the event aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) vision of breaking barriers and using common platforms such as football, business, innovation, and talent to unite the continent under the motto, ‘One Africa, One Market, One Future.’

He further revealed that the initiative would also focus on helping former footballers transition into life after active sports through structured programmes, panel discussions, and stakeholder engagement.

“Transition is real. Many former players need support after football. We want to create structures and solutions by engaging those who have gone through the experience,” Eyong said, adding that solutions would be locally driven, country by country, while maintaining a Pan-African outlook.

Earlier, Project Lead of ACFTA FEST, Dr. Diom Ambe, described ACFTA FEST as a new Pan-African platform designed to create African-led solutions for Africa’s economic and geopolitical transformation.

He said Nigeria was chosen to lead the initiative because of its economic strength and its position as one of the first countries to ratify the AfCFTA Agreement.

“ACFTA FEST is not just an event; it is a way of life. It is about Africans coming together to design sustainable solutions for themselves,” Dr. Ambe said.

He noted that ACFTA FEST 2026 would promote trade, innovation, and cultural collaboration across Africa, with strong institutional support, including from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Dr. Ambe commended the Nigerian government for providing the vision behind the initiative, expressing confidence that Nigeria is ready to set the pace for Africa’s future integration and development.