African soccer legend Samuel Eto’o will play against a Uganda Cranes’ select side to mark the fourth Uganda - France Friendship Week celebrations next month.
The Ambassador of France to Uganda H.E Jules-Armand Aniambossou made the announcement this week as this All-Stars’ match will be used to engage more Ugandans through football.
“This edition is going to be open to everyone,” said H.E Aniambossou said. The Week runs from March 21-28.
“This Friendship Week should not be shared with the diplomats alone it should be accessible to each and every Ugandan,” he said.
Eto’o won the Africa Cup of Nation (Afcon) twice with Cameroon in 2000 and 2002 and is also the record tournament’s top-scorer with 18 goals.
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The former Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea striker will played alongside 19 other former players from majorly Francophone countries like Senegal, Ivory Coast and DR Congo.
The line-up has former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboue, former Barcelona and Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure as well as Khalilou Fadiga and El Hadji Diouf who were part of Senegal’s 2002 World Cup team.
“This Friendship Week promotes the interests of the two countries and enables Uganda to advance the agenda of sports,” stated UOC boss William Blick.
“Uganda will do better than the France team at the 2024 Olympics than in Tokyo because of UOC’s relationship with the embassy here,” added Blick.
Another ex-Arsenal forward Nigerian Nwankwo Kanu and Zimbabwean Benjani Mwaruwari plus Tresor Lua Lua, Robert Kidiaba and Shabani Nonda from DR Congo are set to take part.
Then Chelsea FC legend Didier Drogba is expected to confirm his presence for the March 22 contest at Namboole Stadium.
Uganda’s select side will be composed of former players like Nestroy Kizito, Hassan Mubiru, Dan Wagaluka and it will be led by Geoffrey Massa.
The Uganda - France Friendship Week, which will also have some rugby matches between franchises of both nations, is organised to strengthen the relationships between Paris and Kampala.
2020 UGANDA - FRANCE FRIENDSHIP WEEK
Mar 21: Francophonie Day
Mar 22: All-Star Football Game
Mar 23: Gastronomy Day
Mar 24: Fashion Day
Mar 25: Defence Day
Mar 26: Business & Innovation Day
Mar 27: Sports Day
Mar 28: Festival Day/Closing Event
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This writer is a global broadcaster and as well scribe with Daily Monitor Newspaper and sports presenter with Radio One FM 90 in Kampala. Follow him on Twitter: @AllanDarren and his Facebook Page: Darren Allan Kyeyune