By Sam Eyoboka

COME Saturday, November 3, the cream of the most successful football team, the all conquering Atlanta Dream Team will re-enact the magic that produced the first African Olympic gold in football when members of that team are expected to file out at the Warri Township Stadium for a novelty match in honour of the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.

For the benefit of those who had forgotten, 18 Nigerian footballers including Daniel Amokachi, Emmanuel Amuneke, Tijjani Babangida, Celestine Babayaro, Emmanuel Babayaro, Teslim Fatusi, Victor Ikpeba, Dosu Joseph, Nwankwo Kanu, Garba Lawal, Abiodun Obafemi, Kingsley Obiekwu, Uche Okechukwu, Jay-Jay Okocha, Sunday Oliseh, Mobi Oparaku, Wilson Oruma and Taribo West conquered the world to win the first African gold medal in football in Atlanta in 1996.

Sources close to the Warri-based Word of Life Bible Church stated during the week that the former Borussia Dortmund ace defending mid fielder, Taribo West is currently reaching out to some of his colleagues in that gold winning team to join him in honouring Pastor Oritsejafor who will be celebrating a triple jubilee of his birthday, his church silver jubilee and 40 year of ministry.

According to the source, Taribo, who is now a pastor based in Italy, has already secured the nod of Nwankwo Kanu, Okocha, and coach of the Super Eagles,  Stephen Keshi for the novelty match and is still in the process of trying to recruit more of the players to be of the event in Warri.

Apart from using the match to honour the celebrating CAN president, there are loud rumours that the match which will be against a local side, would also serve as a veritable tool for talent hunt in the Niger Delta as it will be a flag off for a soccer academy that Taribo West has been trying to put in place to engage the Niger Delta youths.