Happening Now: Okocha Joins Eto’o, Drogba In Senegal’s Stadium Inauguration

 

Former Super Eagles captain Austin Okocha is one of former African football superstars who are presently at today’s (Monday) inauguration ceremony of the newly constructed Senegal National Stadium.

The Nigeria legend was a studio analyst at Supersport Television during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon which the Teranga Lions won, their first AFCON title.

The construction of the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium, costing an estimated €238 million, began in February 2020 and was finally completed late last year. The 50,000 capacity multi-sports complex will host the Summer Youth Olympics in 2026.

Other African stars of yesteryear attending the opening of the stadium include Samuel Eto’o who is the current Cameroon Football Federation president and Didier Drogba.

“There will be a match between the former glories of Senegal, of all generations, and African stars,” Senegal’s Sports Minster Matar Bâ said.

The continent’s stars of yesteryears, Bâ confirmed, will face former Senegalese internationals in a gala match that will be the first to be played on the new stadium’s pitch. The game will be followed by a presentation of the prestigious AFCON Cup to the Senegal people, with 40,000 expected to grace the occasion.

“There will be a match between the former glories of Senegal, of all generations, and African stars,” Bâ said.

“There will be Okocha, Drogba, Patrick Mboma, Samuel Eto’o and so many others. Of course, the AFCON trophy will be presented to the Senegalese people.

“The stadium, with a capacity of 50,000 seats, will receive for the needs of the inauguration, 40,000 people.

“The opening of the stadium doors is scheduled for 12pm in Nigeria to allow all Senegalese to easily access it with the cards that will be distributed.”

Nearing a decade after quitting active football, Okocha continues to command respect and recognition across the African continent and worldwide.