(DDM) — Abuja is set to witness a spectacular football celebration as some of Africa’s greatest football legends return to action for a historic showdown between Africa Legends and Barcelona Legends at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the event, which is already generating massive excitement across social media, will feature iconic names from Nigeria’s golden football era, including Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Vincent Enyeama, Daniel Amokachi, Obafemi Martins, Taiye Taiwo, Elderson Echiejile, Victor Ikpeba, and Julius Aghahowa.
The African side will be managed by former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia, marking his return to the public football scene since his long FIFA ban was lifted earlier this year.
Siasia expressed his joy at being part of an event that, according to him, “reminds the continent of its football glory and unity through sports.”
Two Nigerian players, Haruna Babangida and Gbenga Okunowo, both ex-Barcelona stars, will play on the Barcelona Legends side, bringing an emotional twist to the encounter.
The Africa Legends team will also parade continental heroes such as El Hadji Diouf (Senegal), Essam El Hadary (Egypt), Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo), Mark Fish (South Africa), and Didier Zokora (Ivory Coast). These players collectively boast over 700 international caps and represent some of the greatest talents to emerge from the African continent.
The Barcelona Legends, led by former Spanish defender Albert Ferrer, are expected to feature stars like Gaizka Mendieta, Javier Saviola, Ludovic Giuly, Alex Song, Andreu Fontàs, Nolito, and Vítor Baía, names that defined an era of European football dominance in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
According to the organisers, the exhibition match is part of a wider initiative tagged “Football for Unity and Legacy”, aimed at promoting peace, youth empowerment, and grassroots sports development across Africa.
Proceeds from the match will go towards funding youth football academies and community outreach programmes in Nigeria and other African countries.
Corporate sponsors, including Pepsi, MTN, and Access Bank, are backing the event, which will also feature a halftime musical performance by top Nigerian artists such as Davido, Flavour, and Patoranking.
Football fans have already begun trooping into Abuja ahead of the weekend’s festivities, with major hotels around the city fully booked.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has assured tight security and smooth traffic management during the event, promising fans a safe and memorable experience.
In a statement to DDM, the event’s coordinator, Prince Fred Akpoveta, said the match is not just a friendly game but a “symbolic bridge between generations, a reminder of the power of football to unite people across borders and beliefs.”
Tickets for the event reportedly sold out within 48 hours of release, with VIP seats attracting high-profile dignitaries, including state governors, business moguls, diplomats, and sports administrators.
Fans have expressed excitement at the prospect of seeing their childhood heroes play again, with many describing it as a “dream come true.”
The Africa vs Barcelona Legends match will be broadcast live across Africa on SuperSport, AIT, and Channels TV, allowing millions of fans at home to relive the magic of football’s golden era.
As anticipation builds, one thing is certain, Abuja will come alive in a festival of skill, nostalgia, and continental pride when Africa’s legends take on Barcelona’s finest this weekend.
