Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong was greeted by an outpouring of support in Lagos on Friday, as fans flocked to a special meet-and-greet ahead of his foundation’s charity football match, set for Sunday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan.
The event, held at the Puma store in Palms Mall, Lekki, drew a huge crowd, with many fans arriving hours in advance to meet the Nigerian defender. Supporters eagerly took photos, collected autographs, and shared heartfelt moments with Troost-Ekong in a relaxed, up-close setting.
The gathering also spotlighted Puma’s continued support as a key sponsor of the charitable initiative. Speaking to PUNCH Sports Extra, Troost-Ekong described the day as deeply meaningful.
“It was a great chance to connect with the fans and to show appreciation to Puma, who have backed us from day one,” he said. “I had my family with me, and now we’re all looking forward to seeing everyone at the stadium on Sunday.”
He also acknowledged the long road to organizing the event and praised the commitment of his team and early backers.
“Sponsorship has been solid, but it’s taken months of planning. Some only heard about it recently, but we’ve been working on this since January. The hardest part was getting people to believe in the vision before it took shape,” he said.
Now in its second edition, the #PlayForPurpose charity match boasts an impressive lineup featuring boxing world champion Anthony Joshua, Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen and Odion Ighalo, football legends Obafemi Martins and Vincent Enyeama, and music stars Flavour, Falz, and ODUMODUBLVCK.
Following a successful debut in Uyo last year, the Lagos edition is expected to attract an even bigger turnout. All proceeds from the match will go toward the foundation’s mission of empowering underprivileged children through football.
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