By Esther   Onyegbula
Team Eagles has trashed Team Celebrities 6-0 in a novelty football match designed to create awareness about HIV Aids.

The football match which was held last weekend at the Campos Mini Stadium Lagos Island had Daniel Amokachi, Celestine Babayaro, Emmanuel Babayero, Jonathan Akpoborie, Ben Akwuegbu and Emeka Ezeugo playing for Team Eagles while players on Team Celebrities included Fred Amata, Afeez Oyetoro (SAKA), Sound Sultan, Dr. Sid, ID Cabasa, John Njamah,  Sexy Steel, Solid Star and others.

According to the Goodwill Ambassdor, Friends Africa, Emmanuel Babayero, “The second edition of Friends Africa world AIDS Day novelty football match was held to create awareness about HIV Aids and  end stigmatization and discrimination.

The campaign targeted at over two million Nigerians brought together over 3,000 spectators and 300 persons living with HIV to witness the selfless display of selected renowned stars in the entertainment and sports sector.

Speaking, Amokachi, who spoke on behalf of former Super Eagles, said that the match was a show of love to the people living with the virus, adding, “football is a tool that unifies Nigerians and a vital tool to convey the message about HIV/AIDS. We are part of this event to make people living with HIV/AIDS have a sense of belonging and that having the virus is not a death sentence.”

Also speaking at the novelty football match, Dr Akudo Anyanwu Ikemba, founder, Friends Africa, identified love and care as the best way of encouraging People Living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA).

Dr Ikemba said that “such show of love and acceptance would guarantee longevity for the people,” as she expressed sadness that in spite of the massive campaign against HIV/AIDS stigmatization, most Nigerians still discriminate against people living with the disease.

“We decided to celebrate this year’s event again with a football match between Nigeria celebrities and ex- Super Eagles’ players (because) they are role models in the society and they carry louder voices in reaching out to Nigerians and saying no to discrimination and stigmatization”.