Nwankwo Kanu and fellow football legends to play charity match in Tanzania for children’s mental health

• Nwankwo Kanu alongside football legends to play a charity match in Tanzania, aiming to support children with mental health issues.
• Proceeds from the match will benefit the Jakaya Kikwete Heart Institute, a Tanzanian pioneer in treating heart conditions.
• The Kanu Institute, inspired by Kanu’s personal experiences, has been aiding underprivileged children with heart diseases since its inception.

Football legends are coming together for a noble cause. Former Arsenal standout, Nwankwo Kanu, will be gracing the Tanzanian fields, flanked by eminent players like Samuel Eto’o, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Emmanuel Eboue on September 2, 2023.

They aim to raise funds for children facing mental health challenges.

The charity match, which will pitch these legends against former Tanzanian footballers, marks a significant stride for Kanu’s charity work.

For Nwankwo Kanu, this mission holds a personal resonance.

The Kanu Institute, responsible for organising this charitable endeavour, has its roots in the player’s own experience with heart conditions during his illustrious football career.

This charity seeks to aid underprivileged children in Africa, particularly those grappling with heart ailments.

Their efforts have witnessed many a success, beginning with the first beneficiaries in England: Mwalimu Oluwatofunmi Okude and Miss Enitan Adesola. Both underwent successful surgeries at Crown Hospital London in 2000.

The funds generated from this charity game are destined for the Jakaya Kikwete Heart Institute in Tanzania, renowned for its expertise in treating heart-related maladies.

On addressing the press about the charity match, Victor Akpojo, the representative of the Kanu Foundation, expressed his sentiments, “We are happy to do for the community, I would like to receive this because it is to help young people.”

Paul Ambrose, the chairman of the Tanzania Football Veterans Association, further accentuated the enthusiasm surrounding the event. “We as former players are interested in this and we are ready to cooperate with our colleagues to help the community; many former players have confirmed their participation.”

This charity football game isn’t just about football. It’s a testament to the lengths these legendary players are willing to go to make a tangible difference in children’s lives.