By Victor Kanayo
Moments after rumours emerged that former Nigerian international Kanu Nwankwo will most likely emerge as the chairman of Enyimba FC, there are indications that the outgoing club’s boss Felix Anyansi is pulling strings to retain his position.
Heritage Times HT gathered that Anyansi who won different laurels with Enyimba, two-time CAF Champions League winner is currently meeting stakeholders to drive reasons to remain as the club’s lead man.
Anyansi, the incumbent Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation has spent 24 years with the club as chairman.
Despite his noctunal moves, a close source who pleaded anonymity told Heritage Times that players and officials of the club are already expecting the arrival of Kanu who will eventually team up his former teammate Finidi George, Enyimba’s head coach.
Kanu, Finidi’s Anticipated Reunion
Both Kanu and Finidi were part of Louis van Gaal’s Ajax that won the UEFA Champions League in 1995 following a 1-0 triumph over Serie A outfit AC Milan inside Ernst-Happel Stadium in Vienna.
Kanu started his professional career with Iwuanyanwu Nationale (now Heartland) in the 1992-93 campaign after impressing at Holy Ghost College in Owerri.
Still fresh from that triumph, Kanu captained Nigeria to the gold medal at the 1996 Olympics, inspiring a move to Inter Milan. He also played for the Gunners, West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth in his career that spanned 20 years.
Kanu was a member of the Arsenal ‘Invincibles’, the Arsene Wenger-led side that went a whole season undefeated in the English Premier League.
Anyansi’s Success
Under Anyansi, Enyimba has risen from a relatively unknown status to one of Africa’s most successful clubs.
Aside leading the Aba-based outfit to emerge as NPFL winners for a record nine time, he played a key role as the team ruled Africa twice – first in 2003, then defending their title successfully in 2004.
