Kanu Urges Support for Enyimba Reforms, Reveals Shocking State of Club on Assumption of Office

Kanu has urged patience as he tackles deep-rooted issues at Enyimba, revealing shocking club decay.

The football legend says critics should focus on his reforms, not short-term performance outcomes.

Nwankwo Kanu, Chairman of the Enyimba Management Committee, has appealed for fairness and support from critics of his ongoing efforts to reform the club, revealing the dire condition in which he met the team when he took over.

Speaking in Asaba during the Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 8 Promotion Playoffs, Kanu described the legendary Aba-based club as a national football institution that needed to be judged not by fleeting performances but by the lasting structures being put in place under his leadership.

“Enyimba is like a barracks people come and go, but the institution remains,” said Kanu, a UEFA Champions League winner and former Arsenal striker. “What matters is the legacy one leaves behind.”

‘We Met Nothing’ : Kanu Exposes Shocking State of Club

Kanu disclosed that on assuming office, the club lacked basic infrastructure and professionalism. He said there was no functional office, no training pitch, no player camp or feeder team, and that even the club’s trophies were being stored in a private residence.

“Even the trophies that Enyimba had won were packed in someone’s house,” Kanu lamented. “That’s the level of disorganization we inherited.”

Despite being Nigeria’s most decorated football club, Kanu said the inner workings of Enyimba fell far short of the standards expected of a continental giant. Under his watch, he explained, the club has begun implementing sustainable structures, including the creation of genuine youth development teams and plans to unveil a proper office and clubhouse.

“We are not yet where we want to be, but we’re building the right foundation for a professional football environment,” he said. “We need patience and constructive criticism, not condemnation.”

Kanu called on fans and stakeholders to recognize the progress being made instead of focusing solely on short-term results. He reiterated that the Enyimba board is working towards making the team not just Nigeria’s best in terms of trophies, but also in professionalism, structure, and long-term sustainability.

“This board deserves commendation, not condemnation,” he stated. “We are restoring Enyimba to the greatness it deserves.”

Kanu also used the opportunity to commend the Nigeria National League for organizing what he described as a well-coordinated and inspiring Super 8 Playoff tournament in Asaba. He particularly praised the leadership of veteran journalist George Aluo, the NNL chairman, for their efforts in promoting grassroots football and upholding professionalism at the second-tier level.

“This is the kind of platform we need to identify and grow future stars for Nigerian football,” he added.

As Enyimba prepares for the 2025/2026 season, Kanu’s focus remains on overhauling the club’s administrative and operational framework to ensure that the team’s past glories are not only preserved, but surpassed in the years ahead.