Lagos: African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), through its Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme, and TopTier Sports Management, What Media Group, have unveiled plans for a landmark Legends Football Match to be a central event at the CANEX WKND 2026 in Lagos, Nigeria.
According to African Press Organization, the match is slated for 8 November 2026 at Onikan Stadium and will feature football legends from Africa and beyond. The event commemorates the 30th anniversary of the mid-1990s Super Eagles squad, celebrating their historic achievements, including the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations victory, their 1994 FIFA World Cup journey, and the iconic 1996 Olympic Gold medal win in Atlanta.
The Legends Football Match is part of CANEX WKND 2026, Afreximbank's flagship initiative aimed at advancing Africa's creative and cultural industries. This event will highlight the connection between sports, entertainment, and the broader creative economy in Africa. It is anticipated to draw significant attention from football enthusiasts, the creative sector, and the general public, with both local and international media expected to cover the event.
Temwa Gondwe, Director of Creatives and Diaspora at Afreximbank, emphasized the historical impact of the 1996 Super Eagles, stating, "The 1996 Super Eagles did more than win Olympic gold; they re-wrote the global narrative, proving to the world that African talent is an unstoppable force. Today, the intersection of sports, entertainment, and culture is the heartbeat of Africa's creative economy. The Legends Game is more than a celebration of our glorious past - it is a strategic and formidable platform to discuss the future commercialisation and empowerment of African athletes and creatives globally."
Chichi Nwoko, Founder and CEO of TopTier Sports Management, What Media Group, spoke about the significance of the event, "Thirty years ago, a generation of Nigerian footballers showed the world what African talent was capable of. The Legends Football Game is our way of saying thank you to them, and our chance to ask harder questions: what are we building for this generation and the next? We want to build the infrastructure that lets African athletes turn a playing career into a lasting one, on and off the field; this is a huge gap that must be addressed. That's what this partnership with Afreximbank seeks to achieve."
The Legends Football Match will also support the broader goal of CANEX WKND 2026 to position Lagos as a leading hub for Africa's creative industries. It aims to demonstrate the potential of major cultural and entertainment events to stimulate economic activity, tourism, investment, and international engagement.