Beverley Hills Hotel Stadium, Nnewi, Nnewi
North LGA, Anambra state will host a an
all-star match Saturday when numerous
former members of the Super Eagles will
stomp it once again and remind the
expected capacity crowd of the wonders
they used to orchestrate in their hey days.

The stars of yester-years who brought
honour to Nigeria as they made their era in the Super Eagles the golden age, the
unquestioned grande epoch of Nigerian
soccer in the early to late 1990s and mid
2000s have not only indicated interest in
answering the Labour Party’s gubernatorial
candidate for the Anambra election, Dr.
Ifenayi Patrick Ubah’s call to come thrill his
campaign supporters in this start-studded
gate match that will be played for free, and
help get out the votes for Ubah.

At press time most of the soccer super
stars have already arrived Nigeria and were
connecting their flights from Abuja, Lagos,
Port Harcourt and other international air-
ports to Nnewi, Ubah’s home town where
hotel accommodations have been made for
them. Ubah a long-time friend of many of
them is treating them like royalty.

For instance when Austin Jay-Jay Okocha
arrived the Asaba International Airport
Friday afternoon, he shook his head and
identified Ubah’s aides who had come for
him a long motorcade, ever humble former
world-class star exclaimed: “all these cars
just for me? A member of the welcoming
party replied: “You deserve this and more;
you are Jay Jay Okocha remember”.

Waheed Akanni too, who played for the
Super Eagles from 1985 to 1993 was
already in Nnewi Thursday afternoon. By
mid-afternoon, a large crowd had gathered
by the Ubah’s sprawling compound trying
to catch a glimpse of some of the stars
whom they have heard were in town.

Some of them told journalists that they
never expected to see some the stars in
flesh and blood. To them the icing on the
cake was that they were seeing them right
there in Anambra state.

In all 30 ex-Super Eagles players including
Peter Rufai, Aloy Agu, Ben Iroaha, Taribo
West, Augustine Eguavon, Uche Okechuku,
Emmanuel Okocha and Jay-Jay Okocha,
Jonathan Akpobore, Victor Agali, Henry
Nwosu, Yisa Sofoluwe, Bright Omokaro
Edwin Bazuaye, Emeka Izuougu, Tajudeen
Disu, Emmanuel Olisadebey and Kanu
Nwankwo Samsom Siasia and Motiu
Adepoju (the Headmaster) will be in the
field. In fact the 1994 (USA 94 World Cup)
Team will minus just four players will file
out for the match. John Obu, the Under 20
Coach will play his normal coaching role.

Waheed Akanni explained why he and
other soccer stars are playing for Ubah in
support of his governorship bid.
He said that they have decided to give back to Ubah by supporting his governorship ambition in the only way they know how for Ubah has been supportive of many footballers and athlectes over the years.

According to Akanni, “many not know that
Ubah played supportive roles in Jay-Jay’s
and Kanu’s testimonial matches, and has
brought international stars like Eto, Drogba,
Michael Essien, Yaya Touare to help inspire
young, up and coming Nigerians. Ubhah is
a great Nigerian, a soccer lover too. With
him as Governor Anambra will be in for a
golden age – at least in sports”.