Dreams come true: ‘Ozil boy’ Masira walks on the pitch as child mascot at AFCON quarter-final tie (Photos)
Football
By
Brian Murumba
| Jul 13, 2019
Kenyan boy who was awarded by Arsenal star Mesut Ozil after a photo of him donning a self-written “Ozil 10” jersey went viral on Thursday, July 11, saw his biggest dream come true.
Lawrence Masira walked out of the tunnel at the 30,000-seater Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo as a player escort for Tunisia vs Madagascar clash at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
According to Journalist Eric Njiru’s twitter post seen by GameYetu on Friday, July, 12 the youngster made his appearance at the AFCON.
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“A dream came true for Lawrence Masira on Thursday. One of the escort kids during Tunisia, Madagascar game at the ongoing #AFCON2019. Amazing stuff. Thanks, @MesutOzil1088,” wrote Njiru on twitter.
A dream came true for Lawrence Masira on Thursday. One of the escort kids during the Tunisia game at the ongoing #AFCON2019. Amazing stuff. Thanks @MesutOzil1088 pic.twitter.com/19OwvrLrXW
— Eric Njiru (@EricNjiiru) July 12, 2019
The 12-year-old boy’s doors to glory have been opening one by one since Njiru spotted him herding cattle in the streets of Nairobi.
First, Arsenal star Mesut Ozil sent him Arsenal jerseys in March through Njiru before he returned with another gift of Arsenal merchandise in May which he shared with his friends.
A few little presents for Lawrence's friends ????????????????? #M1Ö #Nairobi #M10Family pic.twitter.com/pgAVc7OZK8
— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) May 7, 2019
The youngster’s path kept getting brighter after he received news of being appointed by VISA Kenya for the player Escort programme at the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt.
On Tuesday, May 28, Visa Kenya tweeted: “Meet the Face of Player Escort Programme, Lawrence Masira.”
Meet the Face of Player Escort Program, Lawrence Masira. #VisaUnstoppableStories pic.twitter.com/NQ70xVc99h — Visa Kenya (@VisaKenya) May 28, 2019
Just days before the continental showpiece kick-off, Masira received a teeth whitening makeover courtesy of doctor Dr Arnold Malit of Lavington Green Dental Suite who volunteered to do composite masking on his teeth for free to make sure he was ‘all smiling’ in Egypt.
With matches still left to play at in Egypt, Masira will be hoping to make more appearances after his incredible journey from a street herd’s boy to a player escort at the biggest continental football event.