Nigerian Afrobeats star Ahmed Ololade, popularly known as Asake, was the guest of honour at a Major League Soccer fixture between the New York Red Bulls and Columbus on Sunday, where he performed the ceremonial coin toss before kick-off.
Photos and short videos the singer posted on Instagram on Sunday show Asake standing between match officials as he flipped the coin to decide kick-off and sides.
He captioned the post: “Asake music gives you wings.” One of his hit singles was played over the stadium speakers during the ceremony of the match that ended in a goalless draw.
The footage also shows Asake exchanging handshakes with the two team captains and posing for photographs with match officials.
In a separate clip, he was seen pitch-side juggling a ball while 36-year-old Cameroon international Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting watched; the two later shook hands and spoke briefly.
Asake rose to prominence in Nigeria with the 2020 single “Lady” and signed to Olamide’s YBNL label in February 2022.
He has since released three studio albums—Mr Money With The Vibes (2022), Work of Art (2023) and Lungu Boy (2024)—and earned international recognition, including a 2025 Grammy nomination in the Best African Music Performance category.
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