We're used to mayors making friendly, publicity-seeking wagers on playoff games, but now a couple of Canadian soccer stars have stepped into the fray.
Edmonton's Alphonso Davies, who plays for German giant Bayern Munich, and Calgary's Sam Adekugbe, who plays for Turkish club Hatayspor, have gotten behind their cities' respective NHL clubs. Adekugbe laid down the challenge to Davies via Twitter. It did not take long for Davies to respond.
The loser of the bet will have to donate $2,000 to charity and be photographed wearing the winning team's jersey.
Davies, who is pulling for the Oilers in the Battle of Alberta, is one of the most famous soccer players Canada has ever produced. Born to Liberian parents at a refugee camp in Ghana, Davies' family emigrated to Canada when he was five, eventually settling in Edmonton. He is considered to be a key player for the Canadian men's national team and its hope for success at this November's World Cup in Qatar and beyond.
Born in London, England to parents of Nigerian heritage, Adekugbe emigrated to Calgary when he was 10. His brother, Elijah, plays for Cavalry FC of the Canadian Premier League. Adekugbe scored his first goal for Canada in a 2-0 World Cup Qualifier win over the United States in January in Hamilton, Ont.
Adekugbe, who is betting on the Flames, may be most famous for the "snowbank celly" he performed after Cyle Larin's goal against Mexico in a 2-1 win in Edmonton in November, which was also a World Cup Qualifier match for Canada.
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