SUPER Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi, former Cameroon and Arsenal midfielder Alex Song, as well as Nigerian rap star Odumodublvck and Ghanaian singer Stonebwoy, were all present on Thursday night as the Africa Cup of Nations trophy was presented in London, England.
The kick-off event of the CAF Diaspora Tour for the Morocco 2025 AFCON got off to a successful start, attracting the aforementioned African stars including and former Arsenal Vice-Chairman David Dein.
The event, held in the heart of London in Piccadilly Circus, is part of a two-city Tour that will move to Paris next week.
The Tour will take place in Paris on Wednesday and Thursday, with the original AFCON Trophy present at Palais de Tokyo, Yoyo for the opening ceremony, before returning to Morocco.
The Diaspora Tour in London continued yesterday, with a public event at Piccadilly Circus, where fans had an opportunity to meet the legends and see the AFCON trophy.
Dein said: “The biggest winner from the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in December will be African football.
“African football is special; it is full of passion because Africans are full of passion.
“I think what we see now is a special era in African football, and this event here in London has been a great success and good advertisement for African football.”
Song, who was an AFCON silver medallist with the Indomitable Lions in 2008, said: “What is exciting is to be here in London and see people from all walks of life celebrating African football.
“This is something that didn’t happen when we were playing. We have always known that African football is amazing, but now we are exporting this to the rest of the world to see.”
Stonebwoy, one of Ghana’s and Africa’s celebrated artists, gave a special performance to a room full of international media, sponsors and CAF partners and the event also featured the presence of Odumodublvck, adding to the strong cultural representation of the African diaspora.
“These events are a tribute to the enduring connection that pulses through every match, every cheer, and every goal – honouring not only the iconic African players who have become titans on European soil, but also the continent they represent,” the Confederation of African Football said.
The 2025 AFCON is scheduled for Morocco from December 21 to January 18.