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Tag: Kanu Nwankwo

  • Kanu speaks on sacking of Finidi George as Enyimba coach

    Kanu speaks on sacking of Finidi George as Enyimba coach

    Nigeria league champions, Enyimba International Fc of Aba  have denied reports flying around that club coach, Finidi George alongside other staffers of the technical crew have been sacked.

    Newly appointed Sporting director of the club, Ifeanyi Ekwueme through a statement made available to journalists announced the sacking of Finidi and his technical crew members.

    Ekwueme directed all club’s members of staff, management and technical crew members to re-apply within the next 48 hours.

    However, the club’s new chairman, Kanu Nwankwo has denied that Finidi is exempted from the exercise.

    The former winger guided Enyimba to a record ninth Nigeria Premier League title last season.

    He is reportedly negotiating a new contract with the Aba giants.

    It remain to be seen whether Finidi’s assistant will be exempted from clean up at the club as the new sheriff in town Kanu Nwankwo tries to regain the lost glory of the club.

    Kanu Nwankwo and Finidi were both teammates at Ajax and the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

  • Enyimba Chairman, Kanu Nwankwo sacks coach Finidi, others

    Enyimba Chairman, Kanu Nwankwo sacks coach Finidi, others

    Nigeria Premier League champions, Enyimba international  have announced the sacking of their head coach, George Finidi and other management staff.

    Finidi has only spent two years at the helm of affairs and has only guided the Aba giants to a historic ninth NPL title less than a month ago.

    The club on Monday announced the dissolution of the technical crew.

    The Peoples’ Elephant in a statement signed by sporting director, Ifeanyi Ekwueme, however, directed all the coaches to re-apply for their positions within 48 hours.

    The Abia State Government recently appointed former Super Eagles captain, Nwankwo Kanu as new chairman of the club.

    Kanu and Finidi were teammates during their playing days at Dutch club, Ajax Amsterdam.

    Finidi, a Nigeria football legend, won the 2023 NPL title in June after emerging top in the Super 6 Play-off in Lagos.

    However, a source close to the club has explained that the move is not to disengage the sfaff and coaching crew but a ploy to make them re-apply for their positions.

    “For now, there are no issues in the club but I feel the development is not unconnected with the change of government in the state and also leadership of the club.

    “Kanu just came in and he would need to get his own people on board in order to achieve his projections. What he did is not out of place but the issue is that all these are happening too soon especially after a wonderful season,” the source who craved not to be mentioned, informed.

    It could be recalled that both Kanu and Finidi were teammates at Ajax when the duo won the 1995 UEFA Champions League.

  • Abia governor, Otti appoints J. Martins, Kanu, 28 others

    Abia governor, Otti appoints J. Martins, Kanu, 28 others

    Alex Otti, governor of Abia State, has appointed J Martins, a musician, and Kanu Nwankwo, a veteran professional footballer, and 28 others to various roles in his administration.

    The appointments are effective immediately, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Kazie Uko.

    The appointees and their positions are detailed below.

    The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has appointed the following persons into the underlisted positions, with effect from the date of this publication.

    1. Mr. Ugochukwu Okoroafor – Special Adviser, Monitoring and Evaluation

    2. Hon Iheanacho Obioma – Special Adviser, Political Affairs

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    3. Prof Ijeoma Iheukwumere – Senior Special Assistant, Environment

    4. Mr. Odinakachi Eric Eme – Senior Special Assistant, Multilateral and Donor Agencies

    5. Mr. Nwaka Inem – Special Adviser on Trade, Commerce and Industry

    6. Magdalene Ugoanusi – Senior Special Assistant, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs

    7. Mr. Martins Okechukwu Justice (J Martins) – Special Assistant on Tourism and Entertainment

    8. Dr. George Chidozie – Senior Special Assistant, Special Duties

    9. Pastor Okorougo Aji – Special Assistant, Lands and Housing

    10. Dr. Obioma Nwogbe – Senior Special Assistant, Transport

    11. Mr. Chukwunenye Alajemba – Senior Special Assistant, Homeland Security

    12. Ven (Dr.) Joshua Onyeike – General Manager, ASOPADEC

    13. Pastor Dike Nwankwo – Director General, Abia State Orientation Agency

    14. Dr. Uloaku Ukaegbu – Director, Abia State Agency for Control of AIDS

    15. Dr. Eric Egwuibe – Senior Special Assistant, Budget and Planning

    16. Dr. Anthony Nwaubani, Senior Special Assistant, Finance

    17. Mr. Ogbonnia Okereke, GM, ASEPA

    18. Mr. Daniel Chinagozi – Special Assistant, Digital Economy

    19. Mr. Chinedu Ekeke – Deputy Chief of Staff (cum Senior Special Assistant on Sports and Youth Development)

    20. Dr. Oluebube Olunna Chukwu – Senior Special Assistant, Due Process

    21. Apostle Kenneth C. Wiper – Special Assistant on Religious Activities

    22. Mr. Ishmael Onuoha – Senior Special Assistant, Cooperative Societies

    23. Col. Ezichi Kalu (Rtd.) – General Manager, Abia State Road Traffic and Safety Management Agency (ARTSMA)

    24. Mrs. Mathilda Anyamele – Special Assistant, Special Duties.

    25. Mrs. Chinwe Kanu Uba – Special Assistant, Women Mobilisation.

    26. Mrs. Chinwe Onyeukwu – Special Assistant, Women Affairs.

    27. Kanu Nwankwo – Chairman, Enyimba International Football Club, Aba

    28. Boniface Alozie Uche – Chairman, Abia Comets

    29. John Sam Obuh – Chairman, Abia Warriors

    30. Dr. Benson Nwaigburu, GM, Abia State Debt Management Office

     

  • Kanu Nwankwo set to become the chairman of Enyimba FC

    Kanu Nwankwo set to become the chairman of Enyimba FC

     

    Former Super Eagles captain, Nwankwo Kanu, has been tipped to replace the chairman of Aba  based side, Enyimba FC, he will be taking over from Felix Anyansi-Agwu, the longest reigning Chairman of a Nigerian club side.

    The board of  Enyimba board  dissolved last week.

    Recall that Anyansi-Agwu was in charge for a record 23 years, taking the club to lofty heights.

    Kanu, a legend of Arsenal may then be in charge of the club having his former teammate in Ajax Amsterdam and the Super Eagles, Finidi George as the coach.

    Both Kanu and Finidi won laurels for both club and country during their playing days.

  • Kanu Nwankwo’s wife, Amara pens special message to husband as he clocks 46

    Kanu Nwankwo’s wife, Amara pens special message to husband as he clocks 46

    Amara Kanu, wife of legendary footballer, Kanu Nwankwo, has penned a special message to her husband as he marks his 46th birthday.

    The former professional football player who played forward on the national team marks a new year today in glory.

    Taking to Instagram to share vacation photos with her Kanu Nwankwo, Amara penned a befitting note of love to her dearest husband.

     

    “Kicking of August with a SPECIAL BIRTHDAY shout out to my one & only KING KANU ?? You are rare amongst men @kingkanu4 and I’m blessed to have you & share life’s journey with you.

     

    “Amara Kanu celebrates husband, Kanu Nwankwo as he clocks 46. Thank you for sharing your legendary gifts with the world. More Grace. More positive vibes. I love you. ???,” she wrote in a post.

    Kanu Nwankwo was a member of the Nigeria national team, and played for Nigerian team Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Dutch side Ajax, Inter Milan of Italy, and English clubs Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth.

     

    He won a UEFA Champions League medal, a UEFA Cup medal, three FA Cup medals and two African Player of the Year awards amongst others.

     

    The legendary footballer is one of the few players to have won the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, UEFA Cup and an Olympic Gold Medal.

     

    He made the third-most substitute appearances in Premier League history, appearing from the bench 118 times and is regarded as one of the best players in African football history.

     

    The legendary footballer is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and African brand ambassador for digital TV operator StarTimes.

     

    He is also the owner of Kanu Sports TV, an Internet sports television company.

     

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Amara got married to Kanu Nwankwo at 18.

    Kanu

     

    According to her, “Marriage is a growth process and I learn on a daily basis. I got married as a teenager. I was young. I think I jumped into the deep end and I simply went with it.

     

    “It takes a lot of determination to keep things going because irrespective of your age, marriage throws a lot of curves at you. The main thing is being able to bounce back after being hit with a surprise or what you do not expect.

    “I wasn’t scared. I felt it like it was the best thing that could have happened to me. I was in love, so there was no time for a negative feeling like fear to come up. I think the love I had and still have for my husband was all I needed to feel comfortable and good.

     

    “When I was getting married, I was not ready to be thrust into the limelight. I didn’t even know what I was getting into. I wasn’t a football fan and I knew nothing about the Premiership. I didn’t know I was getting married into that level of limelight as I was young, vibrant and in love. I am now a football fan.

     

    However, Amara noted that she would not want her daughter to get married at a young age.

    Kanu

    In her words: “Having gone through it myself, I wouldn’t say I would like her to do the same. I would like her to experience life slightly a bit more than I did. But it all depends on the circumstances and the persons involved.

     

    “I had support from my mum, dad and siblings. In hindsight, I can say that they actually did a good job. In June, we would celebrate the 12th anniversary of our wedding.

     

    “I ignored critics and paid no attention to what people said. I overlooked Facebook and I only signed on to the platform in July 2011. That was shortly after I earned a degree in Architecture. I don’t think I would want to do it differently. I think getting married early is my competitive advantage.

     

    “I learnt real life and management skills in marriage. Even though I’m currently studying for an MBA, it can’t beat the real life experiences. I won’t change anything because it all worked for me.”

  • Why I’m supporting Bola Tinubu – Kanu Nwankwo

    Why I’m supporting Bola Tinubu – Kanu Nwankwo

    Former Super Eagles captain, Kanu Nwankwo, has stated the reason why he’s supporting the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    According to the ex-international, the visit by him and his colleagues to Tinubu’s residence was only for the APC’s leader 70th birthday and the novelty match.

    The visit of Kanu and other former players to Tinubu on Saturday had drew attention on social media.

    Some Nigerians as well as a presidential aspirant on the platform of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, had stated that the visit was necessitated by hunger on the part of the ex-players.

    While trying to explain the reason behind the visit in a video posted on his social media handles said Tinubu had once been a pillar of for his foundation.

    “People are talking, please pay attention. I’m not a politician, I’m a footballer and a proud one, I’m a legend. I know what is good and what is not good.

    “22 years ago, Kanu heart Foundation was looking people to help us. We got only three governors. Ahmed Tinubu was one of them.

    “He gave the foundation money to start up. He supported us. And now, it’s his 70th birthday. Why not, we also have to come and support him.

    “Please, don’t keep on talking and talking, make sure this time around you pick up the PVC and vote for the right person and let us get the right person there.”

  • Stop chasing me for a chat- Osaze Odemwingie tells Kanu Nwankwo’s wife

    Stop chasing me for a chat- Osaze Odemwingie tells Kanu Nwankwo’s wife

    Osaze Odemwingie has called out Kanu Nwankwo’s wife, Amara Kanu of constantly chasing him for a chat.

    Osaze who shared a photo of Amara Kanu with her son lying on a hospital via his Instagram warned that destruction is upon her if she persistently continues to chase him. He also revealed that it is forbidding in his culture for a man to respond to a woman without her husband’s consent.

    In the now deleted post, Odemwingie wrote: “The reason why Nigeria is in this state. Too many want to be like America. God turned his back at america as things stand.
    Destruction is upon her. How can a wife of a legend like @kingkanu4 be chasing me for a chat relentlessly ( check ur DM check your DM ) na by force ? @amarakanu.
    Your husband has my number and it’s not in our culture to msg another man without asking your husband. Moreover u r wearing arsenal kit and he can ask them for advice about knee surgery because he also suffered from similar issues.
    Your son can’t have a cross on his neck and make those hand signs. That’s fake Christianity if you didn’t know ok. Our people selling their own to conform to African American.
    Those there have been modified by Hollywood and are no more Africans. They don’t even want to associate with Africa with their billions in accounts. How many of them visited Africa in the last 50 years ? Shouldn’t NBA all star match take place in Nigeria at least once? Shouldn’t they be interested to know where their ancestors came from ? Set your own trend Naija u r more special than
    America. #prayfornigeria #naija #nigeria @amarakanu why why why Amara ( Delailah). We love our strong man Papilo. Wash your hands well oh. And most importantly your hearts as I am preaching to many now. Nigeria ?? is more precious to God than America ??”.

     

    In another post, Osaze Peter Odemwingie wrote: “@amarakanu If your hello can’t be public it’s probably not just a hello. Mine is #nigeria #naija LUKE 10:19.”

    Reacting to the allegation, Amara Kanu replied: “odemwingie_81 oh no no no. Kindly take this post down. @kingkanu4 is fully aware of this. We want to talk to you as a family.”

     

  • I hate to see people suffer – Kanu

    I hate to see people suffer – Kanu

    Former Super Eagles captain Nwankwo Kanu has donated relief materials to residents of his home town in Owerri as part of his philanthropy desire to help others during this lockdown period due to coronavirus pandemic shaking the global economy.

    Food items, sanitisers, soaps and protective equipment were donated in Imo state’s largest city, as nearby cities will also benefit in the coming days.

    The two-time African Player of the Year has opened up on why he is a vanguard of a philanthropic drive amid the lockdown in the eastern part of Nigeria.

    “I value life and more importantly I hate to see others suffer, so that was my major motivation for choosing to embark on this project,” Kanu told Goal.

    “This is my own little way of reaching out to the struggling families during this trying period and also to show them that my heart is always with them.”

  • Sad! Kanu loses 21-year-old daughter

    Sad! Kanu loses 21-year-old daughter

    Former Super Eagles captain Kanu Nwankwo, has announced the loss of “his daughter” Enitan.

    She was one of the first beneficiaries of the Kanu Heart foundation initiatives.

    Kanu made the announcement via his Twitter page.

    He tweeted, “Why why why one of Kanu heart foundation gone. My daughter gone gone gone I can’t believe this R I P Eniton God knows all sad sad sad Don’t know what to do.”

    Also, Kanu’s wife, Amara, shared the same news on her Instagram page disclosing that Enitan died from malaria complications.

    According to her, the girl, 21, returned to Nigeria after she completed her university education to work with the foundation.

    “Sad news today for me, I don’t know how to take this but God knows best,” she wrote.

    “One of our first @kanuheartf beneficiaries passed away. Enitan was just 2 years old when she had her open surgery done in London courtesy of the Kanu Heart Foundation.

    “She then became part of my family and 19 years later after completing her university studies, she came back to work with us in our Lagos office until she passed yesterday from some complications with malaria.

    “She was kind, sweet and patient. She will be missed by many. Our condolences go out to her parents and family. A reminder to love while you can.”

  • Super Eagles under pressure to play Brazil – Kanu

    Super Eagles under pressure to play Brazil – Kanu

    Former Super Eagles captain Kanu Nwankwo said the Nigeria national team are under pressure to give a good performance when they meet Brazil for their much talked about match in Singapore.

    The five time World Champions and the three time African Champions will renew their rivalry at the Singapore National Stadium, Kallang, three days after the Selecao had trade tackles with Senegal.

    Kanu who stars in Nigeria’s 4-3 famous victory over in Brazilians back in 1996, Atlanta Olympic games , opined that Nigerian football fans want to see the Gernot Rohr’s squad give the Brazilians a good run for their money.

    “There is a lot of pressure because everybody loves football, they don’t want to hear that Nigeria went to a game and lost.”

    “I don’t think people will really appreciate the boys if they lost in a friendly game, that’s how it is here. The boys have to take it on board and ensure that every game they play, they have to do well.”

    The two time African footballer of the year also advised Rohr and his boys to take the game to the Brazilians and give a world cup final performance, because of the rivalry that exists between both sides.

    “Playing against Brazil will show the level of football they are playing and where they are, and if they can beat Brazil, the confidence and belief of the boys will grow.”

    “And for me, it’s always tough when Nigeria and Brazil play each other, whoever will represent us should know it’s not a friendly game.” He concluded.