Ex-Arsenal GK reveals what impressed him about Kanu, labels Nigerian starlets 'technically gifted'

Retired Germany international goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was teammates with Super Eagles legend Nwankwo Kanu at Arsenal.

Lehmann and Kanu were members of the Arsenal Invincibles squad that were unbeaten in the Premier League throughout the 2003-2004 season, with the goalkeeper going the distance in all their thirty eight matches.

The German joined the Gunners in July 2003, more than four years after Arsene Wenger took a gamble to sign the 1996 Atlanta Olympics gold medalist from Inter Milan.

Kanu bagged 44 goals in 198 appearances for Arsenal, including a memorable hat-trick against Chelsea, and is widely regarded as one of the top Africans to grace the Premier League.

Asked what impressed him about Kanu, Lehmann told allnigeriasoccer.com briefly : "His calmness and his technical ability."

Lehmann is currently in Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital for a scouting programme organized by Amadehi Football Club in conjunction with Sports Solutions United Kingdom.

He has praised the quality of Nigerian players that came to show off their talents.

"The programme has been very good. We had a pleasant day, lot of teams and I haven't seen one player who is technically not gifted so you've got a bunch of really good youngsters here. The football is great."

The scouting programme started on Tuesday, May 17 at the Ansar-Ud-Deen College in Isolo, Lagos and ends on Friday, May 20.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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