Fans thrilled as Trophy Tour opens in Lagos

Thousands of football supporters enjoyed the moment of a lifetime when they came close to European club football's blue-riband prize – the UEFA Champions League trophy – as this spring's Trophy Tour of Africa, presented by Heineken, kicked off in Lagos, Nigeria, at the weekend.

Opening ceremony
Following a three-hour procession through the Nigerian city and media activities, the public day on 28 February was opened by the ambassador for the tour's Nigerian leg, the former RSC Anderlecht and Chelsea FC full-back Celestine Babayaro – together with a special guest for the occasion, Jay-Jay Okocha, who enjoyed a fine career in Germany, Turkey, England and France. Babayaro took part in a photograph and autograph session after the opening ceremony at Ocean View, Victoria Island, which attracted considerable media coverage.

Special moment
A total of 4,500 football fans revelled in the UEFA Champions League experience by wandering through the exhibition stands and viewing videos, pictures and lots of unique football memorabilia on display at the Heineken Champions Planet dome. Many supporters were eager to have their photo taken with the UEFA Champions League trophy – a special moment for any fan – and attend the Champions Gallery, a film showing the history of European football's premier club competition.

Large audience
A series of side events such as table football, snooker, PlayStation games, mini-soccer fields and food stands kept the local football enthusiasts entertained for the entire day. With eight television stations having broadcast the event, it is estimated that some 60 to 80 million TV viewers also caught a glimpse of the illustrious silverware.

Sharing the excitement
The Trophy Tour moves on to Algeria next week. UEFA feels that touring the trophy outside Europe is an important part of sharing the excitement and heritage of the UEFA Champions League with supporters on various continents. The fans also find out about UEFA's values and are perhaps encouraged to play football themselves. Heineken is a long-standing UEFA partner, and the tour gives the company an ideal promotional platform, strengthening its relationship with the UEFA Champions League even further. In addition, unique opportunities are also given to TV rights' holders who help attract football-lovers to watch UEFA Champions League action.

The remaining African Trophy Tour dates
11-12 March: Algiers (Algeria)
26-28 March: Cairo (Egypt)
10-12 April: Cape Town (South Africa)
17-19 April: Johannesburg (South Africa)

Click here for more details about the Trophy Tour.