Lagos, Nigeria | September 27, 2025
Former African football icons Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Emmanuel Adebayor and Alex Song have continued to make their mark beyond the pitch with new responsibilities and recognitions.
Okocha, a former Super Eagles captain, was in 2024 appointed as a Confederation of African Football (CAF) Ambassador, a role that involves promoting African football at tournaments, charity projects, and social initiatives across the continent.
Kanu, a two-time African Footballer of the Year and Olympic gold medalist, remains a revered figure in the game. He was recently hailed by Adebayor as his “idol” and “god of football.”
The former Arsenal striker also continues his humanitarian work, notably through campaigns to improve access to clean water in West Africa.
Adebayor, who won the African Footballer of the Year award in 2008, has remained in the public spotlight. In 2025, he received the Gaming Influencer Award at the Africa Gaming Expo in Lagos.
He has also spoken out in defense of African football, backing Okocha in response to criticisms directed at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Song, a former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder, officially retired from professional football in November 2023 at the age of 36 after a stint with AS Arta/Solar7 in Djibouti.
Since then, he has focused on youth development projects and business ventures, while reflecting openly on the financial realities of a football career.
The four football greats, who once thrilled fans on pitches around the world, continue to shape African sport and society through ambassadorial, humanitarian, and cultural roles.
