Kanu starts work as Enyimba Chairman; set to renovate home stadium, players camp

Former Super Eagles captain, Nwankwo Kanu, has assumed office as the Executive Chairman of Enyimba International with massive moves already being made to put the Nigeria Premier League giants in good stead for the new season campaign both at home and in the continent, Completesports.com reports.

Never in the history of Nigeria club football witnessed a situation where the top three positions in a club were occupied by ex-internationals as is the present case in Enyimba of Aba.

Amidst the clamour for ex-players to take the center stage in major spheres of the nation’s football life, Kanu, George Finidi, and Ifeanyi Ekwueme – all former Super Eagles players – now hold key positions at the People’s Elephant, which provides a litmus test for the ex-international that could open more doors of opportunities for others elsewhere or shut them.

Aware of this huge challenge, the former Ajax Amsterdam and Arsenal forward has hit the ground running soon after his celebrated appointment as the Executive Chairman of Enyimba International.

‘Papilo’, as he’s fondly called by his admirers, quickly realised that Enyimba, as a project, could best be executed successfully with expert and committed hands, hence he engaged the services of Ifeanyi Ekwueme in the capacity of Sporting Director as they join up with the club’s Technical Adviser, George Finidi, who was already on the ground before their arrival.

With CAF Champions League, Nigeria Premier League, and FA Cup to battle for in the coming 2023/2024 season, Kanu realised there’s not much time to waste.

With plenty of trophies in Enyimba’s trophy cabinet for him to match or surpass, the Nigeria U23 Olympic Eagles Dream Team 1 winning Captain in Atlanta, Georgia, 1996, realised quickly also that it’s important to ensure that the players had a good turf for them to express themselves on the pitch.

On Monday, July 24, 2023, the club boss detailed his Sporting Director Ifeanyi Ekwueme to an inspection of the Enyimba International Stadium Aba, to ascertain the state of the facility so that they can plan well for the 2023/2024 season.

Ekwueme, who had previously managed Apex Krane of Asaba and Coal City United, Enugu, having earlier worked in Heartland of Owerri in the capacity of Sporting Director, embarked on the assignment in the company of some Enyimba Legends that included Ndidi Anumnu, Chigbo Ofor and Chukwuemeka Floyd, PA to the Sporting Director as well as staff of the Sports Council and club’s Camp Commandant.

Ekwueme was conducted around the facilities by Ndubuisi Ofoma, a former Enyimba board member and the incoming Stadium Manager.

Aside from the pitch, Ekwueme also inspected the players’ camp amongst other areas.

The Tico/Select African representative spoke after the inspection.

“I’m here at the instance of Papilo himself to get first-hand information on the state of the facilities in the Stadium, especially the stadium environment and the players’ camp”, Ekwueme said.

“My observation is that the facilities need urgent upliftment to meet the required standard especially as we prepare for this season’s Nigeria Premier League and CAF Champions League games.

“I have equally noted other very important areas that need attention and will make my recommendations to the Chairman for immediate action.

“As we all know, Enyimba FC is a household name globally and as such deserves the best, including the best facilities and these include the players’ camp which I believe needs upliftment to ensure that the players are comfortable enough to be ready for optimum performance”.

Recently, Enyimba Chairman, Nwankwo Kanu, met with the Secretary to the Abia State Government, Professor Kenneth Kalu, State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Hon Nwaobilor Nwadimma Ananaba, and the Chief of Staff to the State Governor, Pastor (Dr. ) Caleb Ajagba, on his return from London.

During the meeting, Papilo was briefed on the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti’s plan to use sports to ensure that the youths of the state are liberated and empowered.