SPOTLIGHTS
- The Charity Champions Cup aimed to raise funds for eye care through the Attom Foundation
- Kanu Nwankwo and Sol Campbell coached Team Attom Yahaya to victory
- Super Eagles star Kelechi Iheanacho scored two goals for the winning team
- The event featured appearances by numerous celebrities and influencers
- Kanu expressed his commitment to supporting foundations with worthy causes
Nigeria and Arsenal football legend Kanu Nwankwo may have kicked off a successful career as a gaffer as he coached Team Attom Yahaya to a 4-1 victory over 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, which was preceded by a fund-raising dinner at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja would be used to help at least 10,000 people access healthcare for various vision problems, revealed Yahaya Attom, founder, Attom Foundation.
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 stole the show by grabbing a brace for his star-studded side, which includes 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 Yahaya and a second-half strike by social media influencer, Tobe Iruzo Ozogidwa.
Read also: Sports minister hails handover of MKO Abiola Stadium pitch, scoreboards
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 Sol Campbell, coached Team Attom to a 4-1 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, disclosed, “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’s [Attom] 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 Ekong Foundation, and today, it’s the Atom Foundation. Any foundation with a good cause, I’ll 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’re happy to play in the Champions Cup again next year.”
Packaged by Kaffy and her Kaffy Kreative Agency, the event was also graced by notable stars like Craze Clown, Victor Osimhen, Tiwa Savage, Wande Coal, Oduwa, Kemen, Brother Shaggi, Very Dark Man, Nas Boi, Warripikin, Brain Jotter, Erica Nlewedim, and several others.
