Barça Legends to face Jay-Jay Okocha-led Africa XI in Abuja on October 25

Abuja is set to play host to a spectacular legends football clash as Barça Legends, featuring Ronaldinho among others, gear up to face Africa Legends led by Jay-Jay Okocha. The match is scheduled for Saturday, 25 October 2025 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, with kick-off at 3:00 p.m. local time.

The Barça side will include former stars such as Ludovic Giuly, Javier Saviola, Jesús Angoy, Samuel Okunowo, Marc Valiente, Fernando Navarro, and more expected names to be confirmed as the date approaches.

On the Africa Legends bench, Jay-Jay Okocha is joined by other notable names like Nwankwo Kanu and Alex Song. The event will not just be a celebration of past glories but also an opportunity to support causes, with proceeds directed toward the empowerment of the girl child via the Attom Foundation.

Organisers promise side attractions, fan engagements, and a full experience beyond the match itself highlighting not just nostalgia, but community, sport, and social responsibility.

Editorial

We are excited about the upcoming match in Abuja between Barça Legends and Africa Legends because it represents football at its most unifying. The confirmation that Ronaldinho will feature adds a magical touch to the event. His flair, alongside Okocha’s legacy on this side, ensures this won’t simply be another exhibition but a meeting of football artistry and passion.

What strikes us is how this match blends nostalgia with purpose. While fans will revel in seeing past heroes take to the pitch again, the choice to support the empowerment of the girl child ensures the spectacle carries meaning beyond the final whistle. In Nigeria, where football is woven into the cultural fabric, events that combine sport with social impact help bridge divides and energise communities.

From a practical perspective, this match also presents an opportunity. It offers younger fans the chance to witness legends in action, potentially inspiring the next generation. It reminds us that the game is not just about the present competition it’s about heritage, identity, and the values that underpin sport.

Yes, there is always the risk with legends matches that performance may lag behind expectations but we believe the quality of the line-ups announced suggests that won’t be the case here. Ronaldinho, Giuly, Saviola, Okocha, Kanu they’re all players who have consistently delivered moments of brilliance, which means the showdown is likely to offer beautiful football paired with celebration.

We look forward to seeing how this match unfolds, confident that it will be more than just nostalgia. It is a reminder of how the beautiful game can still captivate, inspire, and contribute. This fixture reminds us why football legends remain legends.

Did You Know?

1. Ronaldinho and Jay-Jay Okocha were teammates briefly at Paris Saint-Germain between 2001 and 2003, with Okocha already established at PSG when Ronaldinho arrived.
2. The Barça Legends project was launched in 2016 and includes over 80 former FC Barcelona players.
3. Nigeria has won the Africa Cup of Nations three times 1980, 1994, and 2013 and been runners-up six times.
4. This will be Barça Legends’ fifth official visit to Africa, having played in Mozambique, Morocco, Zambia, and the DR Congo in past years.
5. Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja has a capacity exceeding 60,000 spectators, making it one of Nigeria’s premier venues for major international and exhibition matches.