Nigeria Legends defeat Team Africa 2-1 in friendly match

Nigeria's football legends defeated Team Africa 2-1 in a friendly match at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos State. This event marked the end of CANEX WKND 2026.

The Legends Football Game was organized by TopTier Sports Management and Bet9ja.

A statement from TopTier Sports Management on Monday said the game brought together stars from the team that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and the 1996 Olympic gold medal in Atlanta, where Nigeria triumphed over Brazil and Argentina.

The Nigerian team featured well-known players like Jay-Jay Okocha, Samson Siasia, Daniel Amokachi, Finidi George, Mutiu Adepoju, Garba Lawal, Victor Ikpeba, and Austin Eguavoen.

Team Africa was led by former Ghana player Samuel Kuffour. It also included stars like Cameroon’s Alex Song, Ivorian players Salomon Kalou and Didier Zokora, Senegal’s El-Hadji Diouf, and former Ghana captain Stephen Appiah.

They put up a tough fight, but Nigeria managed to secure the win.

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, scored the winning goal.

Chichi Nwoko, the Chief Executive Officer of TopTier Sports Management, shared that the idea for the game began during a chat with the Vice President of Afreximbank about hosting a football event.

“I am fulfilled and glad that we had an opportunity to bring Africa to Lagos,” Nwoko said.

“I am a lover of sports; the Vice President of Afreximbank is a fan of football, and the chairman of Bet9ja, Mr Kunle Soname, is the biggest supporter of football in Nigeria.”

She noted that the timing was ideal, as it was 30 years since Nigeria's 1996 Olympic victory.

“It was perfect timing, a perfect storm to really celebrate and remember the legacy of Nigeria as the kings of football 30 years after 1996,” Nwoko said.

She expressed gratitude to the legends, the Federal Government, the National Sports Commission, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and Bet9ja for their support.

The organizers stated that the game was meant to honor the players who helped shape Nigeria’s and Africa’s reputation in world football. It also aimed to highlight the welfare of athletes and the opportunities available to them after their playing days.