July, 10 2023.
After days of intense speculation, the Abia state government, through its newly sworn-in Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu has confirmed the appointment of former Super Eagles captain, Kanu Nwankwo as the Interim Chairman of reigning NPFL Champions Enyimba FC of Aba.
This appointment and brief unveiling of Kanu by the Governor, Dr. Alex Otti makes it evident that the incumbent administration has stepped-up the overhauling of both Enyimba International FC and their sister club, Abia Warriors of Umuahia, a process that was started by the immediate past Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu.
Dr. Alex Otti assumed office on May 29, 2023 and that was the aftermath of the dissolution of the boards of the two NPFL top sides.
Kanu's unveiling marks the nearly twenty-four checkered years, and trophy-laden reign of Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, as Chairman of the board of Enyimba FC.
Anyansi-Agwu left the club having won at least twenty-two (22) major trophies, including two CAF Champions League (2003 & 2004), one CAF Super Cup, a record nine NPFL titles, four domestic cups among others. But there was talk about him being frustrated, and starved of funds, while the club once rated as one of the best in all ramifications in the land, owed its players and officials at least four months in salary arrears.
Two weeks ago, Governor Otti confirmed the appointment of Innocent Oweh as Interim Chairman of Abia Warriors and thereafter, players and officials of Enyimba were hosted by the Governor in Umuahia for winning the 2022/23 NPFL title.
While the governor assured that everything possible will be done to sufficiently prepare Enyimba for their dual campaign in the NPFL and CAF Champions League, next season, unconfirmed reports had it that Kanu, who actually hails from Abia State, but came to football limelight as a player of Heartland of Owerri, is being lined-up for the plump Enyimba job.
With the appointment ratified, pundits are already awash with the Cinderella story of the Atalanta 1996 Olympics Gold medal winning captain of Nigeria's Dream team, being reunited with another Super Eagles legend, Finidi George who's the current Head Coach at Enyimba.
Remarkably, both men who are now in their mid-forties were club mates and legends of Dutch Eredivisie giants, Ajax Amsterdam and during their time at the club, they won the UEFA Champions League, while dominating the Dutch title, www.ckdmedia.ng reports.
What becomes of these two legends of the Super Eagles and Ajax Amsterdam, and their ability to work as a team to match and possibly surpass the lofty heights attained by Chief Anyansi-Agwu, who at present is the first Vice-President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), is worth waiting for.
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