Beenie Man and Didier Drogba dominate AIYT draw
The viewing public in Sierra Leone were given a taste of what is to come on the 27th November when the Madam Trophy kicks off in Freetown. At a special occasion of the African International Youth tournament draw hosted at the Country Lodge in Freetown that was televised live, the audience were taken aback when a host of celebrities including Nigerian comedian Gbenga Adeyinka, Project Fame star Jocelia Gbondo, singer Nasser Ayoub and Grammy award winning Jamaican reggae artist, Anthony Moses Davis a.k.a. Beenie Man took to the stage in support of the tournament. (Photo: Didier Drogba gives his thumbs up for AIYT)
The highlight of the occasion came when a pair of boots that were used by Chelsea striker and Cote d’Ivoire captain Didier Drogba during the 2010 Fifa World Cup tournament in South Africa was presented to the audience with a special message of support from the Ivorian. One of the boots was eventually auctioned during the draw for the eight team African International Youth Under-20 tournament in Freetown. With Beenie Man and Gbenga Adeyinka doing their artistic persuasion for the boot to be bought in support of the FC Johansen foundation, it was not too long before the boots were eventually bought for US $16,000 (sixteen thousand).
To the surprise of the audience, as was promised Nigerian comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka dived into the pool immediately after the final bid was made. Afterwards, he told a stunned audience that he did it for the cause of charity because it was important to support a cause like FC Johansen football project that has brought hope to many young boys in Sierra Leone. There was a minute of silence for the late Issa Koroma, a.k.a. Madam, the AIY tournament is being named after the former FC Johansen player who died in a gruesome road accident while heading for practice session from his home. Owner of FC Johansen, Isha Johansen could not control her emotions as she shed tears on stage whilst giving tribute to the late football youngster.
The African International Youth Tournament
Group Stage Draws and Fixtures 2010
Group A
Liberia Under-20 Sierra Leone Under-20 Gambia Under-20 Ojoko FC NigeriaGroup B
South Africa Under-20 FC Johansen Diambars Academy Senegal Ghana Under-20Fixture List
| Saturday 27th/November Opening Match |
| Sierra Leone Under-20 Vs Liberia Under-20 – 1900 GMT |
| Sunday 28th/November |
| Diambars Academy Senegal Vs FC Johansen – 1500 GMT |
| Gambia Under-20 Vs Ojoko FC Nigeria – 1700 GMT |
| South Africa Under-20 Vs Ghana Under-20 – 1900 GMT |
| Monday 29th/November |
| Sierra Leone Under-20 Vs Gambia Under 20 – 1700 GMT |
| Ojoko FC Nigeria Vs Ghana Under-20 – 1900 GMT |
| Tuesday 30th/November |
| South Africa Under-20 Vs FC Johansen – 1700 GMT |
| Diambars Academy Senegal Vs Ghana Under-20 – 1900 GMT |
| Wednesday 1st/December |
| Gambia Under-20 Vs Liberia Under-20 – 1700 GMT |
| Sierra Leone Under-20 Vs Ojoko FC Nigeria – 1900 GMT |
| Thursday 2nd/December |
| Diambars Academy Senegal Vs South Africa Under-20 – 1900 GMT |
| FC Johansen Vs Ghana Under-20 – 1900 GMT |
| Semi Finals |
| Friday 3rd/December |
| 1st Match – 1700 GMT |
| 2nd Match – 1900 GMT |
| Final |
| Saturday 4th/December |
| 1900 GMT |
Muctaru Wurie, Freetown
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