Nigeria: NFF’s Appointment Delights Kanu

25 March 2011

Former Super Eagles’ skipper Nwankwo Kanu has said he is honoured and humbled by the decision of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to appointment him as ‘Ambassador of Nigeria football’.

Reacting to the announcement, which was made Thursday, the former junior international promised to do his best to repay the Glass House for the appointment.

“I must say I’m very honoured and delighted to have been given such an honour by the football federation. I have always said I am ready to serve the nation in whatever capacity,” said Kanu Thursday night.

The 35 year old, who was present at the official announcement of an international friendly football match between Nigeria and Argentina senior teams in Lagos on Wednesday, is one of the most decorated football players to have come out of Africa.

According to the NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari: “We made the decision in the interest of Nigeria football. Kanu surely deserves it, and we are very happy that he has accepted.”

Kanu presently plays for Portsmouth FC in the English second tier but has previously won laurels at the top flight in Holland and Italy and in the English Premiership.

He also played at three FIFA World Cup finals for Nigeria, in 1998, 2002 and 2010, and led the U-23 team to Africa’s first football gold at the Olympics in USA in 1996.

Another former Super Eagles’ captain and Kanu’s contemporary, Jay Jay Okocha, is the only other Nigerian footballer to have played at three World Cup finals. Okocha is presently a member of the NFF Technical Committee.

As Ambassador of Nigeria football, Kanu would be involved in inspirational duties for the national teams and national team players, would be able to advise the NFF on several matters relating to the game, and would be engaged in international liaisons and representations whenever he is called upon to do.

Kanu debuted for the Nigeria senior team on May 5, 1994 in a friendly against Sweden that the Super Eagles lost 1-3 in Stockholm, but missed the cut for the 1994 FIFA World Cup finals.

His last match, against Republic of Korea at the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in Durban, South Africa, tied him on Nigeria’s all-time appearances with the late Mudashiru Babatunde Lawal (86). Kanu scored 12 goals for the senior team in his 86 matches.

AllAfrica – All the Time