Munich to Host Charity Soccer Match for Africa
July 12, 2008
The Germany southern city of Munich will play host to the Goal4Africa soccer match planned to celebrate the 90th birthday of former South African President Nelson Mandela.
Funds raised at the event will go to help solve the chronic poverty problems in Africa and to improve education opportunities for millions of African children.
The game, which will played in the 69,000-seat Allianz Arena on Saturday evening, was organized by two of the world's best known players, Brazilian and AC Milan striker Ronaldo and his teammate and Dutch international Clarence Seedorf.
Soccer's legacy
The Goal4Africa Foundation, which aims to reach the 2015 targets of the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals via soccer, said the event will also feature a musical show at the Allianz Arena by British and South African musical outfits, UB 40 and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
"By bringing two forces, education and football, Goal4Africa wants to build sustainable change and a lasting legacy for the future of the continent of Africa," read the organization's statement.
The weekend event will also feature a reading on Nelson Mandela's extraordinary life story and an outline of his dream for Africa.
Some of the world's most successful soccer players, including many from Africa who also play for European leagues, are set to play in the match.
Michael Ballack of Chelsea and Germany, Samuel Eto'o of Barcelona and Cameroon, Emmanuel Adebayor of Arsenal and Togo, Ze Roberto of FC Bayern and Brazil, and Didier Drogba of Chelsea and Ivory Coast are among those on the roster.