Visiting Nigeria excites football legend, Pele

As his impending visit to Nigeria draws closer, Brazilian football legend and UN ambassador, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, popularly known as Pelé, said he was looking to being in the country he last visited about 50 years ago.

“It has been nearly 50 years since my first visit to Nigeria. I look forward to being there again on August 11-12,” said Pele on his verified Twitter account.

Pele’s visit is a part of a two-day programme focused on the development of football and the Nigerian youth. It starts with a football clinic with Pelé, a celebrity exhibition match and concludes with an exclusive dinner with selected guests and Pele.

“Thank you WINIHIN JEMIDE SERIES and YEDA for inviting me to Nigeria to inspire the youth.”

There will also be an auction of Pelé’s memorabilia at the gala night. Proceeds from the auction will be donated to an eligible local youth football academy.

Pelé is renowned for many achievements, including scoring 1,281 goals in his professional career and receiving an honourary knighthood from Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II. He was, among others, named ‘Athlete of the Century’ and ‘Player of the Century’ by the International Olympic Committee and Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), respectively, among others.

Pele first visited Nigeria in 1967 during a two-day ceasefire during the Nigerian Civil War, which allowed the warring sides to watch the Pele and Santos team play an exhibition match in Lagos.

His then club, Santos, played against the Nigerian national side, then known as Green Eagles. The match ended 2-2 with Pelé scoring the two Santos goals.

The football legend has been involved in a number of charity activities with a focus on children, youth empowerment and campaign against societal ills. He has partnered with UNICEF and Great Ormond Street Hospital to raise funds for children’s causes. He was also appointed United Nations ambassador with a focus on environment protection.