The last leg of the ‘Road to the Final’ looms large for five inventive Nigerian fans who will get the once in a life time opportunity to watch the final match of the UEFA Champions League live at Wembley stadium.
The denouement begins on Thursday, May 23, when they depart Lagos to London to enjoy the unparalleled premium Heineken Champions League Final experience.
The five Nigerian consumers will embark on an all-expense paid trip courtesy of Heineken, the International premium lager beer. Diverging from the previous seasons of the sponsorship, this is the first time Heineken fully integrated its consumers to be active participants in the selection process, moving them beyond a mere admiration of the footballers to personally emulating their inventiveness. The five travelling Nigerians had emerged from a contest among over 350 consumers and showed their skills, wit, and inventiveness to win tickets and join thousands of other ‘privileged’ football fans that will watch the match live in Wembley stadium on Saturday.
“These consumers have shown that they are a true ‘Man of the World: open-minded with a passion to go beyond their comfort zone. They are more active and resourceful in their pursuit to progress in life and are inspired by the inventiveness displayed by great players in the UEFA Champions League,” The senior Brand Manager Heineken, Jacqueline van Faaassen explained yesterday.
She confirmed that the five Nigerian fans sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc will depart Lagos to London aboard British Airways and are expected to return on Sunday May 26. “The consumers will be part of the annual UEFA Champions League Festival which will commence on the date of their arrival. On the eve of the final match, Nigerian fans with other special guests of Heineken International premium lager beer would be treated with a welcome party. On match day, in true Heineken style, there will be no dull moment as Nigerian consumers will be opportune to visit major tourist locations in London before heading to the stadium approximately two hours before the kick off,” she said.
She explained that the team, on arrival at the stadium would be ushered into the Champions Village where they will mix and have close photo opportunity with great football personalities and the UEFA Champions League trophy.
Since 2007, Heineken International premium beer has consistently sponsored its Nigerian consumers to the final match of the most prestigious club competition, the UEFA Champions League. However, this is the first time the winners had to go through a contest, unlike in the previous years where winners emerged from a transparent draw ceremony at the Heineken Champions Planet located in Victoria Island, Lagos.
