Nigeria invites Abou-Treika to play in charity match

Mohamed Aboutrika 

Ahly midfielder Mohamed Abou-Treika has been invited to play in a charity exhibition match in Nigeria.

"The Nigeria Football Association has invited Abou-Treika to participate in a friendly game in Nigeria to raise money for a cancer charity," the Cairo-based club said on Thursday.

The invitation also includes a lunch with Nigeria's president in case the 32-year-old wants to skip the game.

Ahly sent a thank you letter to the association stressing the bonds between the two countries, but it is unclear if they will allow the player to go as they stated, "Participation will be determined in accordance with the team's commitments."

Abou-Treika is considered as an icon in Egypt after leading Ahly to 22 titles and winning two-African titles with the Pharaohs in 2006 and 2008.

His scintillating displays were highly regarded on the local and continental stage.

One of Egypt's best ever players, he made the shortlist for the 2006 CAF African Footballer of the Year award and was only beaten by Togo’s Emmanuel Adebayor in 2008.

He won the Africa-based Player of the Year award in 2006, 2008 and 2012.