Abuja bubbles as football legends arrive for Charity Champions Cup

The beautiful city of Abuja is bubbling with life ahead of the maiden edition of the Attom Charity Champions Cup billed to take place on Saturday 15 June at the MKO Abiola Stadium.

At least four members of the legendary Arsenal Invincibles have arrived in the Federal Capital Territory along with other legends from across the world.

Those in town include Emmanuel Eboue, Robert Pires, Sol Campbell and the gangling Kanu Nwankwo who were all part of the formidable Gunners team that rocked the Premier League years ago.

Other confirmed legends for the charity match include Mark Fish (South Africa), Dida (Brazil) and Nigeria’s Austin JayJay Okocha.

The Charity Champions Cup, an initiative of the Attom Foundation aims to raise funds and awareness to help at least 10,000 Nigerians, particularly the elderly, address vision problems caused by refractive errors, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma.

Speaking with journalists at a press briefing at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja ahead of Saturday's spectacle in Abuja, Eboue said he was particularly delighted to be in Nigeria even as he called on residents of Abuja and its environs to turn out en-mass to see their superstars live having only seen most of them only on the tv screens.

 "We are here to make people happy. Some people see us on tv but they have never seen us in real life. We are here to tell them we are here. We want them to come to the stadium tomorrow (Saturday) and see us. It’s good to meet them. I’m here with my brothers to make people happy so please tell them to come tomorrow and they will see us." Eboue declared.

Apart from the foreign stars, a long list of past and present Super Eagles players are also on board to contribute their quota to the laudable initiative.

Those in town include Kenneth Omeruo, Samuel Chukwueze, Kelechi Iheancaho, Joseph Yobo, Vincent Enyeama, Wilfred Ndidi, Chidozie Awaziem and a host of others.

Speaking at Friday's media parley ahead of Saturday's show, Omeruo commended the organisers for their drive to give back to society while also calling on fans to come out and cheer up their stars

Omeruo said  "When the founder, Attom Yahaya told me the idea behind this I was excited and it’s actually in my city as well, Abuja so why won’t I be here? And it’s good to be here, I’ve not seen some other celebrities, JJ is here, Kanu is here and it’s important to have them. I will be ready tomorrow, I don’t know if I would be on the pitch as a goal keeper because I’m still recovering.

"I will also want to thank the organisers of this event and I hope and pray that it will be a success today and also tomorrow. Thank you. Abuja come out and support and have fun." He added.

Some of the country's celebrities like AY Makun, Mr Macaroni, Kaffy, Shaggy, Brain Jotter, and many more are joining the football superstars for action.