Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong received a hero’s welcome in Lagos on Friday evening as he hosted a fan meet-and-greet session ahead of the second edition of his charity football match, #PlayForPurpose, scheduled to take place this Sunday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan.
The event, which held at the Puma store inside the Palms Mall, Lekki, drew a massive turnout as fans of all ages turned up to connect with the Nigerian international in a relaxed setting.
From autographs to selfies and warm conversations, supporters expressed their admiration for Troost-Ekong, many of whom had arrived hours ahead to secure front-row access to the player.
Speaking after the event, Troost-Ekong emphasized the importance of the occasion — not only for the fans but also for his foundation and sponsors.
“This meet and greet was great,” he said. “It was a way to pay homage to fans and also to one of our biggest partners, Puma, who’ve believed in this initiative since the beginning.”
“I feel part of the Puma family now. I brought my children and family here today, and I’m looking forward to having them with me at the stadium on Sunday.”
The former Udinese and Watford defender also took a moment to reflect on the journey of organizing the event, revealing the months-long effort by his team and supporters behind the scenes.
“It’s been six months of work. People only started hearing about the event recently, but we’ve been working on it since January. The hardest part was getting people to believe in the idea before all the big names came on board,” he explained.
“Now that it’s taking shape, we’re receiving support from players, fans, and brands alike. Everyone wants to be a part of it.”
The charity match is expected to draw local and international stars, all united by a shared cause — giving back to the community through sport and purpose-driven initiatives.
