Famous former French international and Barcelona defender Eric Abidal (French pronunciation: [eʁik abidal) will arrive in Zambia this Friday to discuss the planned exhibition match between the Zambia national team and Spanish giants FC Barcelona.
Abidal will be accompanied by former Real Madrid player Rayco Garcia.
The duo will be in the country to negotiate the trip due in December when Barcelona is expected to come to Zambia.
Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Emmanuel Mwamba announced the development.
He said Barcelona is expected to play an exhibition match with the Zambia National Soccer Team and also visit tourism spots.
He said the visit by Abidal is significant especially to provide comfort to prospecting corporate sponsors of the December outing.
Mwamba said the economic and tourism benefit to the country was significant as the visit of such high profile personalities put Zambia on the World Map.
Abidal was born 11 September 1979 is a French retired professional footballer who played as a left back or a central defender.
In his career he played mainly for Lyon and Barcelona Football Club, winning 21 major titles the two teams combined, including two Champions League trophies with the latter.
A French international across nine years, Abidal represented the nation in two World Cups – finishing second in 2006 – and Euro 2008.
And Rayco Garcia has pledged to promote soccer in Zambia by conducting coaching clinics and putting up a soccer academy.
He has also pledged to take highly talented youths into the famous Spanish league “La Liga” beginning next season.