Nigerian and Arsenal football legend, Nwankwo Kanu had a highly successful playing career and he may have kicked off a great career as a manager or coach.
Kanu on Saturday introduced himself as a manager in grand style by coaching Team Attom Yahaya to a 4-1 bashing of Team Austin Jayjay Okocha to win the maiden edition of the Charity Champions Cup at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
Proceeds from the game, would be used to help at least 10,000 people access healthcare for various vision problems, according to Yahaya Attom, the founder and convener of Attom Foundation.
Meanwhile, the match itself was preceded by a fund-raising dinner at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja where Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen made a pledge of 50 million naira.
According to Tariq Abubakar, Project Coordinator, the foundation, in partnership with Habib Medical and other organizations, conducted an outreach in Maiduguri last month, which catered for over 2,000 citizens with various eye-problems such as glaucoma, cataracts, refractive errors, and diabetic retinopathy, among others.
Abuja residents thronged the MKO Abiola National Stadium to watch the free exhibition game, which pitted two sides comprised of a mix of international football legends, celebrities, and Super Eagles players.
Super Eagles star, Kelechi Iheanacho who is a free agent following the expiration of his contract at Leicester City stole the show by grabbing a brace for his star-studded side, which included Clause Makelele, Emmanuel Eboue, Winifred Ndidi, AY Makun, Robert Pires, Stanley Nwabali and others.
The two other goals came from a spot-kick converted by Attom and a second-half strike by social media influencer, Tobe Iruzo Ozogidwa.
French born sports marketing guru, Karim Chellat salvaged a goal for the opposing team, led by former Super Eagles captain, Jay-Jay Okocha.
The losing team boasted a lineup comprising Ahmed Musa, George Boateng, Samuel Chukwueze, Emmanuel Eboue, Kenneth Omeruo, South African legend, Mark Fish, and many others.
Chukwueze was wasteful as he failed to convert several opportunities, including one-on-one against his Super Eagles compatriot, Stanley Nwabali.
Arsenal legend, Sol Campbell, 49, revealed his excitement to be a part of the game. He disclosed “I’m happy to offer myself to a good cause like this and it feels good for me to play out here. It’s great for me to play a football game again.”
Speaking to reporters after the match, Kanu, who, alongside his former Arsenal teammate, Campbell, coached Team Attom to victory over Team Celebrities, said he was proud to be part of such a worthy cause.
Throwing his weight behind the initiative, Kanu, known for his philanthropy with his heart foundation said: “It’s a football match to raise awareness for the Attom Foundation, which helps people with eye problems.
“Because it’s a good cause, you can see all these big names and players are here today to support [Attom] and make sure the foundation can succeed.
“He [Attom] is just starting. We need to advise him, encourage him, and show him the way. I love being involved in such initiatives.
“I went to Uyo for the William Troost-Ekong Foundation, and today, it’s the Atom Foundation. Any foundation with a good cause, I will be a part of it.”
On the win, Kanu said: “If you look at my team, both the head coach and assistant coach are former Arsenal players. So, we had to bring a little bit of Arsenal magic. We will be happy to play in the Champions Cup again next year.”
Organised by celebrity dancer, Kaffy and her Kaffy Kreative Agency, the event was also graced by notable stars like Craze Clown, Victor Osimhen, Tiwa Savage and Wande Coal.
Other celebrities who attended the event are Oduwa, Kemen, Brother Shaggi, Very Dark Man, Nas Boi, Warripikin, Brain Jotter, Erica Nlewedim, and several others.
