The legends are coming home, and they are not coming to show off old tricks, but to play for charity at the Motherland Heritage Cup (MHC) 2026.

To be anchored in four cities in Nigeria including Lagos, the Motherland Heritage Cup will reconnect Africans globally through identity, heritage, showcase elite talent from Africa and the diaspora on a global stage and create structured opportunities for SMEs, investors, and governments, as well as transform Nigeria’s tourism, highlighting the country as Africa’s first destination for trade and investment, international youth engagement, heritage and recreation.

To be captained by two of the best players the African continent has ever produced, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, and Emmanuel Adebayor (JayJay XI versus Adebayor XI), the event will also see in action such iconic stars as Didier Drogba, Daniel Amokachi, El Hadji Diouf, Anthony Baffoe, Yaya Touré, Samuel Eto’o, Mikel Obi and Joseph Yobo, among others.

According to the organisers, the MHC 2026 is supported by President Bola Tinubu (grand patron); Prince Tajudeen Olusi (life patron); Senator Godswill Akpabio (patron) and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Early in the week, former Super Eagles’ coach, Samson Siasia and Daniel Amokachi, as well as the chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), George Aluo, were unveiled as the event’s ambassadors, alongside the co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Jim Iyke and Head of Global Culture and Entertainment, Larry Gaaga.

Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer, Oluwatobi Fakayode, said: “I build roads, build communities, I build the places where people live, and work, and dream, but long before any of that, I was, and I remain a sports enthusiast, and an unapologetic football fanatic. And, in a life spent building, I have learned that football not only changes the lives of the players. It changes the lives of people who will never kick a ball. It transforms families. It lifts communities. It rebuilds cities. And make no mistake, it can elevate entire nations.”

“The Motherland Heritage Cup 2026 is born from the success of the Motherland Festival & Expo 2025, a landmark gathering of Africans and the global diaspora in Lagos, Nigeria. The Heritage Cup is a celebration of African culture, creativity, rhythm, humour, and identity, bringing together Africa’s biggest football legends, music stars, top comedians and artistes and global diaspora icons on a big platform.

“This is a gathering of the African family and the nations of Afro-cultural descent across the continent, Caribbean and South and Latin America. We have had conversations, and we will share more updates on our progress soon.

“The next line of activities for the Motherland Heritage Cup 2026 includes a Charity Exhibition Match to be held on August 8, 2026, comprising both African and Afro-diaspora football legends playing for a charitable cause while mirroring the spirit of MHC 2026.”