CAIRO (Egypt): Over 20 Legends of African and international football gathered at the globally renowned Pyramids of Giza on Monday for a Legends match on the eve of the CAF Awards 2019.
The players defied the desert winds and falling temperatures on a sand pitch at the feet of one of the seven wonders of the world, the Pyramids of Giza.
As far as it is known, this is one of the first times a football match has been organised at the iconic venue which has existed since 2560 BC and measures a height of 146.7 metres.
The World Legends captained by Brazil legend Cafu had notable players such as FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Julio Cesar, Juan Sebastian Veron, Portia Modise, Gaelle Enganamouit, Ahmed ‘Mido’ Hossam, Kalusaha Bwalya, Jacqueline Shipanga, Veronica Boquete and Elodie Thomis.
CAF President Ahmad Ahmad led the African Legends consisting Pascal Zuberbuhler, Khalilou Fadiga, Daniel Amokachi, Nwankwo Kanu, Perpetua Nkwocha, Rabah Madjer, Flavio Amado, Ahmed Hassan, Clementine Toure, Diomansy Kamara, El Hdaji Diouf, Hidetoshi Nakata, Laura Georges, Weal Gomaa and Jean Ssenide.
The five-a-side match provided a platform for the renowned footballers to reminiscent their golden days.
Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhy, FIFA General Secretary and General Delegate for Africa, Fatma Samoura, Egyptian Archaeologist Zahi Hawass were among those who watched in awe.
In the end, the World side emerged victors with a 4-3 win with Mido, Gomes, Boquete and Enganamouit finding the back of the net with Flavio and two-goal hero Diouf, for the African select team.