Francis Ajuonuma
15 July 2007
Lagos — Former Super Eagles strongman in defence, Uche Okechukwu will be in the thick of action for Africa XI when they trade tackles against the Rest of the World team on July 18 in soccer match being put together to mark the 89th birthday of former South African President Nelson Mandela.
The game which is tagged "90 Minutes for Mandela" will hold at the Newlands Stadium in Cape Town as a tribute to the legendary South African statesman and coincides with the assemble of winners of all of the major titles in world football, including the FIFA World Cup, the European Championship, the African Cup of Nations and the UEFA Champions League.
Football legends past and present including Brazil's Pelé, three-time African player of the year Samuel Eto'o of Cameroon and former European player of the year Ruud Gullit of the Netherlands will be take part in the celebrations and the match itself.
The African XI will appear in all white outfits for the commemorative match while the World XI will appear in an all black jersey.
Coaches Jean Manga from Cameroon and Jomo Sono of South Africa will tinker the African side, their world XI counterpart will be coached by the duo of Roy Hodgson of England and Claude Le Roy from France.
Other expected in the African XI squad include goalkeepers Badou Zaki of Morocco and Songo'O Jacques of Cameroon, on the defence line-up for the African side are Nigeria's Austine Eguaveon, Mark Fish of South Africa, former Super Eagles captain and Togo coach Stephen Keshi, South African Doctor Khumalo, Ugandan David Obua and Cameroon's Stephen Tataw.
In the midfield/attack of the African XI are Abede Pele, Daniel Amokachi, Kalusha Bwalya, Samuel Eto'O, Hassan Hossam, Lomana Lualua, Rabah Madjer, Pedro Mantorras, Pkil Masinga, Oman Biyik, Dennis Oliech, Samson Siasia and George Opong Weah.
For the World XI are goalkeeper, Andoni Zubizarreta from Spain, defenders Zoubaier Baya, Christain Karembeu, Gary Mabbutt, Patrick Mboma, Santos Muntubile and Lucas Radebe while in the middle and the attack formation of the world XI has such names as, Daei Ali from Iran, Emilio Butragueno, Stephane Chapuisat, Youssouf Fofana, Julen Guerrero, Ruud Gullit, Nascimento de Aruaja Leonardo, Pele, Fernando Redondo, Wynton Rufer and Ivan Zamorano.
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