Drogba, Eto’o, Kanu and Diouf to play against Uganda’s legends

The rest of the team will include El Hadji Diouf, Emmanuel Eboue and Didier Zokola,among others

Ugandans will get a chance to watch some of the African football legends like Didier Drogba, Nwankwo Kanu, Yaya Toure, and Samuel Eto’o among others at Namboole as they take on Ugandan legends during the 4th edition of the Uganda-France friendship week.

The match on March 22, is one of the activities in the one-week celebrations; which is a series of festive events celebrating the friendship between France and Uganda through music and dance, culture, sport, fashion, food, and military cooperation among others.

The rest of the team will include El Hadji Diouf, Emmanuel Eboue, Didier Zokola, Taribo West, Mohammed Sissoko, Robert Kidiaba, Shabani Nonda, Geremie Njitap, Benjani Mwaruwari, Tresor Lomana Luar, Khalilou Fadiga, Olivier Kapo, Nkongolo Ilunga, Moustapha Kamara, Aliou Goloko, Allasane Ndour, Kossi Agassa, and Aboubakari Camara.

Some of the legends on the Ugandan team that will be captained by Geoffrey Massa include Ibrahim Mugisha, Simeone Masaba, Nestroy Kizito, Richard Malinga, Edward Kalungi, Dan Wagaluka, Vincent Kayizzi, Hakim Magumba, Patrick Ochan, Noah Babadi Kasule, Geoffrey Sserunkuma, Hassan Mubiru, Robert Ssentongo, Steven Bengo, and Brian Umony among others. The team will be coached by Andy Lule with Paul Mukatabala as a team manager.

A rugby sevens match between the French Army and a select Uganda team on March 28 is the other sporting activity that has been lined up to headline this year’s celebrations. Fans will pay sh10, 000/- for each of the matches with a discount for those who will pay using MTN mobile money.

Proceeds from the week-long activities will go towards building sports facilities for disadvantaged schools and communities with the two games used as an example of using sport as a tool of unity and promoting the values of sport and education.

Addressing a press conference at his residence on Thursday, attended by sponsors’ representatives and other stakeholders, Ambassador of France to Uganda Jules-Armand Aniambossou said the friendship week was about celebrating the bilateral cooperation, shared values and unity in diversity between the two countries.

UOC president William Blick said the unique event not only promotes the interests of the two countries but it gives an opportunity to Ugandans to advance the agenda of sport.

“Proceeds from the past events have gone to construct hard courts in schools within Kampala and we shall soon unveil the courts,” Blick said before thanking the embassy and the sponsors for changing the lives of ordinary Ugandans through the partnership.

FUFA vice president Justus Mugisha said they were excited to be part of the celebrations and thanked the France embassy for choosing football to pass on the message.

“We want to thank France for nurturing most of the African football stars,” Mugisha noted before FUFA CEO Edgar Watson announced the Ugandan team.

Uganda Rugby Union president Godwin Kayangwe also thanked the embassy and UOC for organizing the annual event that has culminated in exposing some of the Uganda Rugby players like Phillip Wokorach who currently plays professional rugby in France. He said different franchise teams will take part in the rugby festival.

The week-long event is sponsored by among others; MTN who was represented by CEO Wim Vanhellupate, Stanbic Bank (Emma Mugisha), Johnnie Walker (Annette Nakiyaga) among others.