Nigeria’s football hero, Kanu Nwankwo has arrived the ancient city of Kano to conduct a catch young football scouting exercise.

The former English Premier League , EPL attack maestro last Monday stormed the city accompanied by his retinue of aides, to execute a five days long football talent identification and recruitment programme organised by a Kano based grassroot clubside, Azuba fc .

The former Arsenal and Porthmouth football club in the English league goal poacher and now the incumbent , chairman, Eyimba fc International , in the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL side, Papilo as he is pouplarly called by his fans , last Tuesday at Sani Abacha stadium was sighted , while indulged in a players mentoring session, where he tutored the privileged players on the power and essence of develooping their mental strenght to compliment their skills inorder to flourish in the pursuit of their football career.

The chairman, Azuba fc, the organizer and sponsors of the exercise, Ahmed Zubairu Baba expressed delight over the presence of the renowned football ace turned club administrator.

Ahmed said ” we are delighted to offer, the abundant young Kano football players the platform to excel in their career.

According to him, Kanu Nwankwo ‘s presence in the midst of the youngsters is a moral booster that can further heightened the urge of the players to pursue their career with positive energy and newly acquired vigor henceforth.

He further said ” the short , mid and long term partnership objectives between Azuba fc and Eyimba football club have been well laid out.

He added that ‘ Eyimba has signed a partnership with a foriegn club that is interested in young talented players, “we brought them here to assess our players and to give them the chance to excel too, we are hopeful that the relationship will extend beyond discovery and recruitment of players, hoping we will arrive at the shores of kits sponsorship and facility development, in the renarest future, courtesy of this new football marriage between Azuba and Eyimba football club.” Ahned said.

Speaking on the motive behind their football visit to Kano, the Sporting Director, Eyimba FC International, Ifeanyi Ekwueme disclosed that their mission to Kano is to have a first hand assessment of the quality of the players that can be given the chance.to proceed to join the most renown football brand from Nigeria, Eyimba fc .

The well travelled ex international , Ekwueme as he is fondly called by his admirers, further revealed that, Eyimba FC under the management of Kanu Nwankwo is leaving no stone unturned in the quest to unearth football talents from all nooks.and crannies and bring them to Aba, where they will be polished in tune with Eyimba fc football eco system , which boasts of one of the best African football culture and development traditon that exists on the African continent and sahelian football region , Ekwueme said

He assured that the exercise will not end in futility, hinting that, Eyimba eagle eye scouts have commenced the combing of Kano for exceptional legs .

Ekwueme on behalf of their entourage thanked.his Excellency, the executive governor.of Kano state, Eng Abba Kabir Yusuf and the good people of Kano for the warm reception been extended to them, since they arrived the state.

By Ellams Awwal

Mustapha Salisu, once prolific goal scorer for NPFL team Katsina United. In the previous two seasons, Salisu showcased his prowess emerging top goal scorer for the Chanji boys before embarking on a free transfer that led him back to Kano Pillars.

Now at Pillars Salisu, Known for his electrifying pace and skillful plays, has become an enigma this season. Despite starting several matches from the bench and making impactful appearances in five games, Salisu’s name vanished from the squad list after matchday 16, leaving fans puzzled.

Contrary to speculation about injuries, reliable sources confirm that Salisu is fit and well. The mystery deepens as it appears that he has fallen out of favor with Coach Abdul Maikaba, a surprising turn of events given the coach’s track record of providing opportunities to young talents.

This season witnessed Coach Maikaba’s commitment to nurturing emerging players, with a focus on building a formidable team around the likes of Mustapha Salisu, Tsamage, Muhammad Aminu, Mustapha Umar, and Mubarak Sani. These rising stars were set to complement the experience of seasoned players like Mustapha Yuga and Rabiu Ali Pele leading Pillars attack.

The absence of Salisu raises questions about the underlying dynamics within the team. Could there be more to this situation than meets the eye? Football enthusiasts are left wondering about the factors that led to Salisu’s sudden disappearance and the implications for Kano Pillars’ strategic lineup.

Ndagi Suleiman says: “Although a team is bigger than any player. I found it odd that while recently promoted Junior team players like Tsamage and Mustapha Umar makes it only two wingers the coach has at his disposal. I would have thought somebody like Salisu with more experience would be given more playing time.”

As the season unfolds, the spotlight remains on Mustapha Salisu, a missing piece in the football puzzle, whose absence sparks curiosity and speculation among fans eager to see the talented winger back in action.

The President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Mr. Isaiah  Benjamin, on Wednesday January 17, 2024 arrived Abidjan, capital of Cote d’ivoire as hostilities continue in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Mr. Isaiah who touched down Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan shortly after noon had departed Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja earlier same day, aboard Cotevoir airline.

A press statement by the SWAN Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, confirmed that President Isaiah will among other things parley all Nigerian Sports Journalists covering AFCON in a bid to interface and find ways of ameliorating the challenges of his colleagues away from their country.

“First of all, I want to thank God Almighty for granting me and others on board safety to Abidjan. I have successfully settled down, ready for next line of actions, all geared towards finding ways to assist our colleagues do their work in a more conducive atmosphere.

“As a leadership, we are committed to ensuring that Sports Writers carry out their professional and constitutional duties without hitches,” the SWAN President said.

The number one Sports Writer in Nigeria then acknowledged the spirited efforts of the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Sports Development, under the hardworking leadership of Senator John Owan Enoh as Minister in ensuring that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved backlog owed Super Eagles and other national team coaches as well as players’ allowances.

He also thumped up the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) under Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau as President for the vital role of giving Super Eagles necessary preparatory and participatory atmosphere suitable to thrive.

While expressing optimism that the country’s senior national team will surmount any challenge to pull through the group stage of the competition, enjoined Nigerians to continuously support them, always.

“On our part as sporting media, we will continue to give the team maximum support by ensuring fair report of their matches and other activities partnering their participation at the 2023 AFCON,” he said.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are scheduled to face Cote d’ivoire’s Elephants on Thursday in their second Group A duel inside Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Ebimpe.