SOME former international star footballers will descend on Namibia for a unique soccer event in 15 days.

The football stars are all part of Global United Football Club, a team consisting of retired players, and will take part in an exhibition game against defending league champions African Stars on May 26 at the Independence Stadium.

Among the big names are former Bafana Bafana players Phil Masinga and Pierre Issa, Ghanaian Yaw Preko, Congolese Michél Dinzey, with Moroccan legend Mustapha Hadji also coming to show off his silky skills.

Speaking at a media briefing, Gareth Amos, the MD of Interact DraftFCB, the official project managers to Global Utd FC, said they were pleased that the stars had confirmed to be part of the exhibition game.

"We are pleased to let everyone know that the players have been confirmed, the stadium will be ready and African Stars are ready to face some of the world's best."

Jens Nowotny, who captained Germany during the 2006 World Cup on home soil, along with his compatriots Freddy Bobic, Marko Rehmer, Silvio Meissner, and South African-born Sean Dundee, have confirmed their availability for the match.

Also making the journey to Windhoek are former Danish international midfield grafter Stig Tofting, Norwegian Stig Inge Bjornbye, who played most notably for Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers in England, Wynton Rufer, who is considered New Zealand's greatest ever player, and former Dutch internationals Paul Bosvelt, who donned the colours of Manchester City between 2003 and 2005, and Geert Brusselers.

Added to this list are five Namibian sports legends: Frank Fredericks, Ronny Kanalelo, Ricardo Mannetti, Lolo Goraseb, and Sandro de Gouveia.

Global Utd is a football project founded by Lutz Pfannenstiel, and consists of more than 250 of the world's most famous former players and coaches.

Its mission is to fight global warming by playing exhibition football matches using the global popularity of the game and its most recognisable faces at various locations worldwide affected by climate change.

Match proceeds are donated to organisations and institutions dedicated to fighting against global warming, including GAWA (Green Awareness Namibia).

Tickets to the game cost N$30 per head and VIP tickets will cost N$300 and can be obtained at post offices and OTB Sports in Windhoek.