Nigeria and Arsenal legend Kanu appoints Ekwueme as Enyimba's new sporting director

Ifeanyi Ekwueme, a former Super Eagles midfielder has been announced as the Sporting Director of Nigeria Premier League champions Enyimba FC of Aba by newly appointed Chairman of the club Nwankwo Kanu.
 

The Nigeria and Arsenal legend made the announcement on Thursday morning following confirmation of his appointment by the Abia State Executive Council presided by Governor Alex Otti on Wednesday. Ekwueme,43,replaces Jude Ayudofu.

Ekwueme, a left footed midfielder during his illustrious career, featured for defunct NEPA FC Lagos, before moving to Jasper United of Onitsha in 1997.In 1999, Ekwueme made a career breakthrough in Europe with a sensational move to Polish giants Polonia Warsaw.

Ekwueme who was a one time Sporting Director of Heartland FC made his Super Eagles debut in 2001 in a Nations Cup qualifier against Madagascar in Benin.

In a career that spanned close to 20 years, Ekwueme also starred for a host of European clubs, notably in Poland, including Widzew Lodz (2002), Polonia Warsaw (2002–2003), Wisla Plock (2003–2004), Ari’s Saloniki (2004–2005), AS Veria (2005–2006), UNIA Janikowo 2007), Warts Pozna (2007–2008), Znicz Pruszkow (2008-2009) and LZS Piotrowka (2010) where he eventually retired.

On his retirement from active football, Ekwueme veered into sports marketing and is currently Africa representative of Tico/Select, a Polish and Danish-based sportswear manufacturing company.

The sportswear outfit are organizers of Ifeanyi/Ekwueme TICO/SELECT Preseason Tournament.

Speaking on his appointment, Ekwueme revealed his willingness to work with Enyimba FC management.

"I feel excited and honoured to be named as Sporting Director of Enyimba Football Club,” Ekwueme said in a press release made available to allnigeriasoccer.com.

"I am happy that Nwankwo Kanu deems me fit for this position. It’s a great honour and I am humbled. Of course, it’s a challenge and I hope to do my best to deliver and justify the confidence reposed in me.

"We have a management team full of experience. We also have sound technical crew and quality players.

"Hopefully, we are going to make the best of the opportunity to achieve good result at the end of the season. My team and I will bring in our wealth of experience in football to return Enyimba back to its glorious days.

"I’m impressed with the caliber of technocrats I’m going to work with on the board. They are incredible, I’m really overwhelmed and looking forward to working with them."

Ekwueme expressed confidence that Kanu would hit the ground running because he has an enormous task before him.

“Kanu has a big dream for Enyimba and I am glad to let you know that already, he has started plan to give the club a new face with the improvement of its structures such as training pitches, hostels, international office among others.”

The new Enyimba sporting director duly prepared himself well before venturing into management, having acquired a UEFA Pro B Coaching License.
    

Ephraim Nwosu

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