Refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi may not be playing for his Melbourne club's first home game but he'll take to the field for the coin toss as his supporters celebrate his release.
The much-anticipated return of Pascoe Vale Football Club's star defender was due on Friday, but won't go ahead.
Instead he will walk onto the pitch and toss the coin but he told reporters he was happy to be back at the club.
"I'm so happy now to be back at Pascoe Vale Club," he told the Seven Network.
"It's a special night for my life all they people who fight for my case they will come to watch me here."
Former Socceroo captain Craig Foster is be among the fans and supporters at the game against the Bentleigh Greens.
"It's lovely to be able to celebrate with Hakeem tonight particularly with all the people around him who are really his Australian family," Mr Foster said on Friday night.
The Professional Footballers Association chief executive said the match would be a celebration of Hakeem's freedom and the power of football to unite people.
"The campaign for Hakeem's release demonstrated the potential of football in this country; when football unites, there is no limit to what we can achieve," John Didulica said.
The 25-year-old returned to Melbourne last week after a much-publicised stint in a Bangkok jail after his birth country Bahrain pursued his extradition over allegations he vandalised a police station before he sought asylum in Australia.
Mr al-Araibi denies the allegation.
Throughout his two-month incarceration, Mr al-Araibi said he maintained his fitness in anticipation of returning to his beloved soccer club and the semi-professional league.
The game kicks off at 7.45pm at the CB Reserve.
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