This Saturday in Abidjan, a captivating AFCON Winning Captains Round-Table will be graced by legendary figures Nwankwo Kanu and Joseph Yobo, both former captains of Africa Cup of Nations triumphant teams. Kanu boasts an impressive record, having been part of the victorious Nigerian squads in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2010. Meanwhile, Austin Eguavoen led the Nigerian side to victory in 1994 as their on-field captain.
Yobo, on the other hand, made his mark in AFCON from 2002 to 2010. He displayed exceptional dedication by playing every match and minute of Nigeria’s 22 AFCON matches between 2002 and 2008, a feat unmatched by any other Nigerian player. His remarkable streak extended to two more matches in the 2010 edition, until an unfortunate injury forced him to be substituted during the Nigeria-Benin match.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that this round-table event is part of the prelude to Sunday’s highly anticipated final match between Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire.
Joining Kanu and Yobo at the event will be a distinguished lineup of other legendary figures and former captains. These include Cameroon’s Roger Milla (1988), Cote d’Ivoire’s Gadji Celi (1992), South Africa’s Neil Tovey and Lucas Radebe (1996), and Egypt’s Hossam Hassan (1998). Additionally, Tunisia’s Riadh Bouazizi (2004), Zambia’s Christopher Katongo (2012), and Cameroon’s Benjamin Moukandjo (2017) will grace the occasion. Ghana’s Abedi ‘Pele’ Ayew will also be in attendance as a special guest.