Papilo Bows Out in Style: Football Stars Eto’o, Adebayor, Muntari, Song, Okocha and Eboue at the Kanu Nwankwo Testimonial Match

Kanu

Nigerian football international, Kanu Nwankwo officially celebrated his exit from international football with a testimonial match which took place in Lagos, Nigeria. According to the BBC, over 14000 fans braved rainy weather to watch their hero Kanu play alongside many of Africa’s greatest football stars including Jay Jay Okocha, Samuel Eto’o and Emmanuel Adebayor. Other stars on the pitch included Danny Shittu, Sulley Muntari, Rigobert Song, Emmanuel Eboue, Kalu Uche, Jean Makoun, Khalilou Fadiga, Anthony Baffoe, Sammy Kuffour, George Boateng, Joseph Yobo, Taye Taiwo, Herman Hreidarsson, Obinna Nsofor, Ikechukwu Uche and Yakubu Ayegbeni. Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola also made an appearance and hit the pitch in a Super Eagles jersey.

In the end, the Super Eagles beat a Rest of the World XI (Friends of Kanu team) – 3-1. Kanu played for both sides during the different halves of the match. He scored for the Super Eagles side.

After the match, Kanu made an emotional speech, he said “There’s a time to start and a time to finish, it has been a fulfilling ride from day one“. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Kanu Heart Foundation, the non-profit organization founded by Kanu which provides free life-saving heart surgery to underprivileged people with life threatening heart conditions.

Check out photos from the testimonial match below:

Nwankwo Kanu with Gov. Babatunde Fashola

Samuel Eto'o during the match

Regobert Song shaking hand with ball boys during the match

Samuel Etoo, Micheal Essien, Chief Ifeanyi Ubah, Chairman, Capitol Oil and Coach Samson Siasia during the match

Regobert Song, John Utaka and Taye Taiwo during the match

Sule Mutari with Austin Jay Jay Okocha during the match

Peter Rufai contesting the ball with Emanuel Adebayor during the match

Obinna Nwaneri against Samuel Eto'o

Kalu Uche with Yakubu Aiyegbeni during the match

Finidi George against Emmanuel Eboue

Austin Jay Jay Okocha during the match

Friends of Kanu celebrating during the match

Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo State with Gov. Babatunde Fashola during the match

Photo Credit: Sylva Eleanya for Vanguard Newspapers
Information Source: BBC Sport