A Belgian organization 'HeroRATS' have honoured football stars Vincent Kompany and Romelu Lukaku.
HeroRATS is a social enterprise group which trains rats in the art of land mine detection in African countries such as Tanzania, Mozambique and Angola.
Rats are used in the operation because they weigh just over a kilogram so do not set off the landmines, have an exceptional sense of smell and do not bond to one particular trainer.
Now as a tribute from the Belgian organization to the country's footballing heroes, they have named two of their 16 trained rats after Manchester City captain Kompany and Everton striker Lukaku who will be deployed to Cambodia to detect landmines.
It has recently been confirmed that another rat has been named after recent Arsenal signing Petr Cech.
Hey @RomeluLukaku9, we've named a future life saver after you! This guy will safely detect landmines. #soccer#efcpic.twitter.com/bQ6OJaEvSV
— APOPO's HeroRATs (@HeroRATs) July 7, 2015Hey @VincentKompany, we're training a landmine detecting #rat named after you!
http://t.co/y78RqyfHtO@MCFC#MCFCpic.twitter.com/SAFzNPWdaj
— APOPO's HeroRATs (@HeroRATs) July 7, 2015HeroRAT fans! Help us let @Adidas know that we need a #TinyCechHatforGiantRat. @PetrCechhttp://t.co/J02zs3cvwc#afcpic.twitter.com/kpHvGBa7Tb
— APOPO's HeroRATs (@HeroRATs) July 7, 2015