NFF in race against time for Moses
The Nigeria Football Federation on Thursday announced the appointment of former Super Eagles’ skipper Nwankwo Kanu as Ambassador of Nigeria football.

Nwankwo Kanu

Also Nigeria’s bid for England under-21 star Victor Moses to swap allegiance has now been lodged with Fifa.

The 35 year old, who was present at the official announcement of an international friendly football match between Nigeria and Argentina senior teams in Lagos on Wednesday, is the most decorated football player to have come out of Africa.

“We made the decision in the interest of Nigeria foot-ball. Kanu surely deserves it, and we are very happy that he has accepted”, said NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari.

Kanu presently plays for Portsmouth FC in the English second tier but has previously won laurels at the top flight in Holland and Italy and in the English Premiership.

He also played at three FIFA World Cup finals for Nigeria, in 1998, 2002 and 2010, and led the U_23 team to Africa’s first football gold at the Olympics in USA in 1996.

Another former Super Eagles’ captain and Kanu’s contemporary, Jay Jay Okocha, is the only other Nigerian footballer to have played at three World Cup finals. Okocha is presently a member of the NFF Technical Committee.

As Ambassador of Nigeria football, Kanu would be involved in inspirational duties for the national teams and national team players, would be able to advise the NFF on several matters relating to the game, and would be engaged in international liaisons and representations whenever he is called upon to do.

Kanu debuted for the Nigeria senior team on May 5, 1994 in a friendly against Sweden that the Super Eagles lost 1-3 in Stockholm, but missed the cut for the 1994 FIFA World Cup finals.

His last match, against Republic of Korea at the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in Durban, South Africa, tied him on Nigeria’s all-time appearances with the late Mudashiru Babatunde Lawal (86). Kanu scored 12 goals for the senior team in his 86 matches

NFF in race against time for Moses

Nigeria’s bid for England under-21 star Victor Moses to swap allegiance has now been lodged with Fifa.
The Nigerian-born 20-year-old is with the Super Eagles  in Abuja as the squad prepare to face Ethiopia on Sunday.

Despite claims by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that they made the request earlier this week, Fifa only received it on Thursday.

Fifa would not say how long the process might take but it is likely to be a number of working days.
Fielding ineligible players is punished with a points forfeit and fine.