Kanu denies rumour of him quitting

There have been reports since Nigeria's ouster from the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa quoting the 33 -year old legend as saying that he would retire from the international game.

"I never told anybody that I was quitting international football. Of course, I remember the question being posed as we left the mixed zone after the match in Durban (against Korea Republic). All I did say was that I would first go on a holiday with my family and think over everything. It would be my decision", said Kanu.

Nigeria's most successful footballer also lambasted a report quoting him as having said he would no longer be willing to work with the Nigeria Football Federation.

"That report is mischievous. I never spoke to anyone about not wanting to work with the Federation. My brother, I have been in the national team for the past 16 years and I know the difference between white and black. The present NFF leadership has done a lot; they have been committed, energetic and forthright, and have shown they have the interests of the players at heart.

"Surely, there is room for improvement as we go forward. But life is about learning and putting those lessons into use for future good".

If he musters the will and courage to continue, and is around for the next World Cup, Kanu will be on line to be only the second African player to feature at four FIFA World Cup finals, after Cameroonian Rigobert Song set that in the on -going finals in South Africa.

Kanu previously played at the 1998 and 2002 finals, after narrowly making the cut for 1994, and was unlucky not to have made it a third straight finals as the Eagles, captained by Jay Jay Okocha, could not muster what was needed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup.

Captain Okocha himself claimed to have missed his way in London as the team flew out to an important away game which it lost, and which proved decisive in the race to Germany.

Daily Champion

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