The players comprising the squads of the African and European Legends who come face-to-face on a historic date at Ellis Park on Saturday January 7 are a who’s who of top players from the two continents over the past two decades.
Some old stalwarts who were at their peak further back have managed to sneak in, with the event staged to benefit the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.
And for sheer nostalgia, there is no questioning the merit of squads who each boast a former World Player of the Year in Africa’s George Weah and Europe’s Ruud Gullit.
Add in players of the calibre of Hristo Stoitchkov, Aron Winter and Michael and Brian Laudrup (Europe) and Abedi Pele, Kalusha Bwalya, Roger Mila, Lucas Radebe and Tony Yeboah (Africa), and the names of the luminaries cannot be questioned.
More open to doubt is how the players’ lung power has lasted since the years when they bestrode world soccer’s arenas with aplomb and acclaim.
Also, as often occurs on such occasions, there has been a spate of late withdrawals — although the organisers insist that players involved have ”put down their names in writing” and are honoured to be part of the event.
Still, it has to be noted that the names of Paul Ince, Laurent Blanc and Ian Rush are accompanied by the proviso ”to be confirmed”.
The African squad will be managed by Dutch World Cup legend Johan Neeskens and the Africans will be under the charge of Jomo Sono.
The game is scheduled to kick off at Ellis Park at 8.10pm, with tickets on sale at Computicket and Shoprite Checkers outlets. — Sapa
The squads
African Legends: Thoma Nkono, Jacques Songo, Zaki Badou, Tony Baffoe, Augustine Eguavon, Ibrahim Hassan, Mutibile Santos, Stefan Keshi, Anagasse, Doctor Khumalo, Lucas Radebe, Phil Masinga, Mark Fish, Ebwele Bertin, Stephen Taw, Hossam Hassan, Rabah Madjer, Tony Yeboah Daniel Amokachi, Rashidi Yekeni, Abedi Pele, Roger Mila, Kalusha Bwalya and George Weah.
European Legends: Bernard Lama, Pat Bonner, Hristo Stoitchkov, Iorden Letchkov, Emil Kostadinov, Paul Ince, Ramon Vega, Gica Popescu, Daniele Massaro, Roberto di Matteo, Michael Laudrup, Brian Laudrup, Aron Winter, Ruud Gullit, Richard Witschge, Laurent Blanc, Josep Guardiola, Zeljko Petrovic, Ian Rush, Gerald Vannburg and Jan Heintze.