Former Super Eagles captain, Nwankwo Kanu’s illustrious career with the senior national team came to a glorious close yesterday with a testimonial match that brought several former international stars from Nigeria and beyond.

At the match which took place at the Teslim Balogun stadium in Lagos, Lagos State governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola led the Nigerian All Stars team briefly in the first half where Kanu scored one of the two goals as they led the Kanu and Friends side 2-0.

Eagles forward, Ikechukwu Uche scored the other goal before Togolese international, Seyi Adebayor scored for Kanu and Friends. Uche increased the tally to 3 for the All Stars which had players like Finidi George, Daniel Amokachi, Uche Okechukwu, Waidi Akanni, Uche Okechukwu, Ike Shorunmu and Peter Rufai who came in for Ike, among others.

Indomitable Lions captain, Samuel Eto’O Fils captained the Kanu and Friends but made way for Austin Okocha in the second half. Black Stars of Ghana’s Sulley Muntari, Taye Taiwo, Obinna Nsofor also featured for Kanu and Friends who had Idah Peterside as their goalkeeper. Chelsea star, Michael Essien of Ghana was on ground but didn’t dress for the match.

Former Eagles captain, Stephen Keshi, Eagles coach and Samson Siasia were on hand as coaches while Nigeria’s coach at the Atlanta ‘96 Olympic Games, Johannes Bonfrere was also on hand to grace the ceremony that saw thousands of football fans defying the heavy downpour to catch a glimpse of the stars.

Former Eagles defender, Uche Okechukwu described the testimonial as good for Nigerian football because “it is good that we are honouring one of the best players ever to come out of our country.” He said that the difference between his days in the Eagles and now is that “during our days, we stayed together for a long time with a particular coach but these days, coaches are changed regularly and the players don’t stay together for long.”

Do have your say:

Are today’s Super Eagles’ players better than the Kanu/Okocha’s era?