By Robert Kayindi James
2015 was a historical year in the records of the football fraternity in Uganda as the country hosted and entertained some of soccer’s greatest players ever in the names of Patrick Kluivert, Anderson Decco, Gialunca Zambrotta who came with the Barcelona legends.
The Pearl of Africa is now expecting to host former Arsenal striker and Nigerian legend Nwankwo Kanu who will be in the country next week as we prepare to entertain Burkina Faso in the 2017 AFCON qualifiers.
Kanu will be setting foot in the country for the second time following his first visit in 2007 as a player with the Super Eagles of Nigeria that faced off with the Cranes in the 2008 AFCON qualifiers.
His planned visit is being spearheaded by Star-Times and according to the pay TV’s marketing manager Aldrine Nsubuga, the two time African player of the year (1996 & 98) will be here for numerous reasons but first will be to support the Cranes as they play Burkina Faso on 29th March at Namboole Stadium.
“On arrival at Entebbe airport, a press conference will be held and he will later move to Namboole to cheer the Cranes against the Stallions. He will be part of the inspection team on the day and if all goes as planned, he is to visit the Cranes’ dressing room before the match to give them courage,” Aldrine Nsubuga is quoted by Kawowo.
The 39-year-old star is also expected to be the chief guest at a commercial fixture between Star Times’ locally sponsored clubs in KCCA FC and SC Villa on 30th March, 2016 at the Phillip Omondi Stadium.
Nwankwo Kanu’s European footballing career kicked off at Ajax where he won 3 league titles and the UEFA Champions League in 1995. He then joined Inter Milan for a brief spell, winning the UEFA Cup before joining Arsenal in 1999 for £4.15M. With the gunners, the African star went on to win 2 Premier League titles and 2 FA Cups. He later on featured for Portsmouth where he won the FA Cup in 2007/2008.
On the international scene, Kanu was part of the Nigerian U-17 World Cup winning team in 1993, was also part of the Olympic Gold medal winning team in 1996 in Atlanta. He also won the BBC African footballer of the year in 1997 and 1999 before being a runner up for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2000.
Being a survivor of a heart problem in the early 90s, Kanu will pay a courtesy visit to Mulago heart institute where he is expected to do charity and donate equipment.