Former Super Eagles mercurial midfielder Friday Ekpo, Moses Kpakor, defence strongman Yisa Shofoluwe and other notable ex-internationals will headline this year’s edition of the MKO Abiola memorial match in honour of the late philanthropist who passed away 18 years ago.
The game, billed to kick off at 2pm on Sunday June 12 at the Muda Lawal stadium in Abeokuta, forms part of activities lined up in memorial of the man who was widely believed to have won the Nigerian Presidential elections on June 12, 1993 but which was annulled by the military government.
As part of d programme of events for the annual memorial, a football exhibition will be played between former players of the defunct Abiola Babes, the club bankrolled by the late philanthropist in his lifetime and the Ogun state All Stars team.
According to the coordinator of the programme and former Abiola Babes captain Taju Disu, other ex-players expected to feature in the match include former Super Eagles stars Friday Ekpo, Yisa Sofoluwe, Bright Omokaro and Moses Kpakor.
Also expected are Biodun Odejimi, Bremme Alada, Raymond King, Toyin Ayinla, Friday Christopher, Segun Agbayewa, USA-based Dehinde Akinlotan amongst others.
The Ogun State All Stars will have players such as Salimon Akinbo, Wasiu Sumonu, Waheed Lawal, Jubril Aminu and others.
On the choice of the Muda Lawal Stadium, to host the match, Disu said:
“We had planned to use the bigger MKO Abiola Stadium but it is still undergoing renovations and the contractors said it would not be ready for use before Sunday so we made alternative use of the Muda Lawal stadium. We used the MKO Abiola Stadium last year and, by God’s grace, we’ll be back there next year.”
The programme, sponsored by the Ogun State government, will have the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosu in attendance as Special guest of honour as well as members of his cabinet, local government chairmen, other ex-footballers of repute as well as professional entertainers to spice up the event.
Gate is free for all.
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