Michael Essien And Sulley Muntari To Play In Kanu Testimonial In Nigeria

MICHAEL Essien of Ghana has joined the growing list of football greats who are billed to honour Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Football Ambassador, Nwankwo Kanu.

Kanu, who retired as Super Eagles skipper at last year’s World Cup finals in South Africa, is being honoured with a testimonial game slated for the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos in June.

Worldwide Ventures Limited, who are behind the testimonial match have confirmed that the Chelsea midfield star is the latest to signal his intention to be part of the programme for the former Arsenal player.

Mr. Ayo Gam-Ikon, of Worldwide Ventures, told Tribunesports on Monday that they have been in touch with Essien, who assured that he would be ready to dash to Lagos to play for Kanu.

“We have spoken to him (Essien) and he assured us that he would not mind coming to Lagos to play for Kanu,” said Gam, who pointed out that Essien was also at Fratton Park a couple of years ago to play in the ‘Kanu and Friends Charity Match’, which was used to raise funds for the Kanu Heart Foundation.

“In fact he (Essien) surprised us because despite playing a full 90 minutes in Chelsea’s FA Cup win over Manchester United at Wembley 24 hours earlier, he not only drove to Portsmouth but he insisted on staying on the field for another 90 minutes!” recalled Gam of the 2007 match.

Incidentally it was in that charity match that another Ghanaian international, Sulley Muntari was introduced to English football and was promptly signed on by then Pompey manager, Harry Redknapp.

Currently on loan at Sunderland from Italy’s Inter, the 26-year-old central midfielder with 57 caps for Ghana is also billed to be in Lagos for the testimonial.