Nike’s Cage returns: Osimhen, Salah and Mané lead Africa’s charge in Afrik-Foot’s 3v3 knockout

Nike’s 2002 Cage campaign placed the world’s best players inside a steel-walled arena for 3v3 matches. First goal wins, no second chances, with Eric Cantona as referee.

Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry, Francesco Totti, Roberto Carlos, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Patrick Vieira, Rio Ferdinand, Luis Enrique and Hidetoshi Nakata all stepped inside. Lose and you are gone. No explanations, no replays. The concept became an instant cultural landmark and one of the greatest football campaigns ever made.

More than two decades later, The Cage is back — and Africa has a serious stake in who walks out.

Afrik-Foot launches The Cage ahead of the 2026 World Cup

Afrik-Foot is bringing the concept back to life as part of a major cross-continental editorial series, running simultaneously across nine partner platforms: Topmercato.fr, Afrik-Foot (France, Nigeria and South Africa), Soccernet.ng, Trivela.com.br, Umdoisesportes.com.br, Sportsmole.co.uk and Alairelibre.cl.

The format is faithful to the original. Sixteen trios enter a straight knockout bracket at the round of 16. Quarter-finals, semi-finals, grand final. One defeat and you are out. No second chances — just like 2002.

Can Osimhen fire Rosario Rumble to the title?

Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, is one of the most compelling figures in the draw. The former Napoli striker lines up in Rosario Rumble alongside Lionel Messi and Xavi Simons — a trio that blends South American craft with European flair and raw African power.

Africa’s representation across the bracket is strong. Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané, former Liverpool teammates turned rivals on the international stage, are reunited in Red Redemption.

Achraf Hakimi partners Kylian Mbappé and Enzo Fernández in Atlas Tango. Kalidou Koulibaly brings his trademark physicality to Viking Voltage, where he lines up alongside Erling Haaland and Raphinha. Lyle Foster flies the flag for southern Africa in Soweto Samba.

Fans vote on every match — the community decides

Each trio has been built around a distinct identity and given a name that reflects the cultural DNA of its members.

Vinicius Júnior, Kevin De Bruyne and Nuno Mendes form the free-flowing Favela Royale. Lamine Yamal, Cole Palmer and Désiré Doué make up Generation ¡Olé!. Luka Modrić, Endrick and Patrik Schick combine in the wildly unpredictable Balkan Ballers. Kenan Yildiz leads Ottoman Spurs, and Cristiano Ronaldo — inevitably — heads a group called Final Bosses.

Every result is decided by readers. At each stage of the tournament, fans across Afrik-Foot Nigeria and all partner platforms cast their votes for the trio they believe will win the match. No algorithms, no editorial interference. Pure football democracy.

The Cage door is open. Who walks out?