NIAMEY, Niger (AFP) - French football legend Zinedine Zidane arrived in Niger on Thursday night ahead of a two-day visit to support a United Nations humanitarian project.
The former France captain, who was born to Algerian parents, will see at first hand anti-poverty projects in the West African country as well as visiting a football academy and meeting with Niger President Mamadou Tandja.
Zidane said: "Im really enthusiastic about visiting all these activities that are so important.
"I always wanted, after retiring from professional football, to visit this part of Africa and make a contribution, as best I can, paying particular attention to Niger."
Zidane was appointed a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Goodwill Ambassador in 2001.
"At the moment his trip is private. We will not be in charge of his programme until Saturday, he will then be at the disposal of the UNDP and the Niger government," a UNDP spokesman told AFP.
