Abedi Pele in Namibia today

WINDHOEK – Abedi Pele, the greatest soccer star of Africa, will arrive in Namibia today accompanying the African Nations Cup trophy.

Namibia is set to compete at the African Nations Cup in Ghana, starting on January 21. Abedi played for some of the biggest football clubs in the world but has never lost sight of his role as African football icon.He is ranked third on the list of African Player of the Century, beaten only by George Weah and Roger Milla.He is known around the world as Abedi Pele, having been given the nickname ‘Pele’ after the great Brazilian player in recognition of his skills on the football pitch.In 2004, Abedi Pele was named by the Brazilian Pele as one of the 125 greatest living footballers in the world.He was further named African Footballer of the Year three times 1991, 1992, 1993 and nominated an additional six times.He was also named spokesperson for the 2006 World Cup bid when South Africa was officially named host of the 2010 World Cup.Pele owns a team called Nania FC in Ghana and he is committed to identify and nurture young talent.In 2007, Standard Bank named Abedi Pele the official Ambassador of Ghana 2008.The trophy will be taken to the various Standard Bank branches in the capital today and tomorrow to allow the banks’ clients to see the trophy and get autographs from Pele.The trophy will also be shown to President Hifikepunye Pohamba tomorrow.Unfortunately, the national football team players will not be around to touch and see it, as they left for Tunisia on Tuesday for an international friendly against Tunisia in preparation for the 2008 AFCON showpiece.Namibia is pitted in Group A against hosts Ghana, Morocco and Guinea.It is the second time that the Warriors have qualified for the competition, after they did so in 1998.The team has relatively young players who mostly play in the domestic league, while there are at least 11 professional players.NampaAbedi played for some of the biggest football clubs in the world but has never lost sight of his role as African football icon.He is ranked third on the list of African Player of the Century, beaten only by George Weah and Roger Milla.He is known around the world as Abedi Pele, having been given the nickname ‘Pele’ after the great Brazilian player in recognition of his skills on the football pitch.In 2004, Abedi Pele was named by the Brazilian Pele as one of the 125 greatest living footballers in the world.He was further named African Footballer of the Year three times 1991, 1992, 1993 and nominated an additional six times.He was also named spokesperson for the 2006 World Cup bid when South Africa was officially named host of the 2010 World Cup.Pele owns a team called Nania FC in Ghana and he is committed to identify and nurture young talent.In 2007, Standard Bank named Abedi Pele the official Ambassador of Ghana 2008.The trophy will be taken to the various Standard Bank branches in the capital today and tomorrow to allow the banks’ clients to see the trophy and get autographs from Pele.The trophy will also be shown to President Hifikepunye Pohamba tomorrow.Unfortunately, the national football team players will not be around to touch and see it, as they left for Tunisia on Tuesday for an international friendly against Tunisia in preparation for the 2008 AFCON showpiece.Namibia is pitted in Group A against hosts Ghana, Morocco and Guinea.It is the second time that the Warriors have qualified for the competition, after they did so in 1998.The team has relatively young players who mostly play in the domestic league, while there are at least 11 professional players.Nampa