Qatar2022: Oliseh, Nkwocha to represent Africa

Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh and Super Falcons legend Perpetua Nkwocha are among the famous names listed to feature in the 2022 FIFA Legends Cup in Qatar, www.aclsports.com reports.

As part of activities to honours legends of the game during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the world football’s governing body have gathered former players who enjoyed fame and success during their international careers for a mini competition.

The competition tagged the FIFA Legends Cup has been scheduled for Thursday, December 15 and Friday, December 16, 2022 being the final rest days in between matches of the ongoing World Cup in Qatar.

Oliseh, an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner in 1994 and Nkwocha, a multiple Women’s AFCON winner and four times African Footballer of the Year will be joined by another former Super Eagles star Aiyegbeni Yakubu in the African selection which has 13 players.

Also listed for the “African Lions” include Senegalese legends El-Hadji Diouf, Khalilou Fadiga and Demba Ba while three other legends who played for Chelsea; Geremi Njitap (Cameroon), Michael Essien (Ghana) and Didier Drogba (Coted’voire) are also listed.

Drogba’s Ivorian compatriot Yaya Toure will also play for the African Lions with Robert Kidiaba and Thomas Nkono listed as goalkeepers. Recently retired Indomitable Lionesses star Gaelle Enganamouit is the youngest player on the selection and joins Nkwocha as the only ladies in the African team.

According to the released fixtures by FIFA, the African Lions will face the Northern Bears in the opening game of the tournament. All matches will hold at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, Qatar.

The African Lions also have in their group; the East Tigers and Arab Falcons. All teams will face each other in a round robin format.

Among other global footballing legends lined up to feature in the two-day tournament are former Brazilian stars Ronaldinho, Cafu, Roberto Carlos and Uruguayan former ball hitter Diego Forlan who will all feature for the South American Panthers.

The likes of Luis Figo, Clarence Seedorf, Andrei Shevchenko, Deco Souza, Hristo Stoichkov and Peter Schmeichel are among a star-studded cast of the European Dragons.