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Alex Otti, governor of Abia State has appointed former Nigerian soccer star Nwankwo Kanu as the new Chairman of Enyimba Football Club in Aba.
Kanu, a global football icon replaces long-serving Felix Anyansi Agwu.
Anyansi Agwu’s departure represents a major changing of guard for Enyimba having served as chairman since 2001. He will be remembered for the club’s major accomplishments over two decades, including two CAF Champions League trophies and nine Premier League titles.
Kanu meanwhile brings to Enyimba a wealth of footballing experience, being an Olympic gold medalist, a Champions League winner and two-time African Footballer of the Year.
This appointment brings back the two ex-internationals KANU and Finidi George, together. We recalled that both stars were key players in the Ajax team that won Dutch Eredivisie and UEFA Champions League in 1994/95 respectively.
Finidi is the currently head coach of the People's Elephant, who are also the current NPFL champions and will be participating in the CAF Champions League this season.
The appointment of KANU, which takes effect immediately, brings so much excitement to fans of the Aba based team. The fans expect he will hit the ground running.
"KANU and Finidi understands what it takes to be champions because they have both been involved at the highest level of the game. Their combination, we hope, will take Enyimba's achievement beyond the continent of Africa." Joe Awuzie, a well known fan of Enyimba
However, KANU is a rooky when it comes to team management and may not understand how football politics is played at the highest level. As we all know, team management involves a lot: ability to raise required funding beyond just government, attracting the right players and motivating them to put in their best.
Then the politics at NFF, NPFL and at the CAF and perhaps, FIFA level. This is were Anyansi has become a master over the years. KANU may need to learn the ropes fast, if he must make required impact in a short time.
