- OPEN LETTER TO KANU NWANKWO
…understanding the principalities and powers in football management
Ben Udechukwu
Dear Papilo,
I received news of your appointment as Chairman of Enyimba International Footbal Club, Aba with mixed feelings. First, happy that a former Nigerian international, a celebrated humanitarian and successful footballer, will; for the first time since 1976, be at the helm of affairs of Enyimba. Worried that, despite the long walk to stardom, the Enyimba you will meet may not be one in your imagination, enamoured in golden fleece of opportunities or in tandem with international best practices.
2. We know that your cap is littered with international laurels. However, we are aware this would be your fiistt major assignment, Supervising a Club Side in Nigeria. You have been handed over unarguably the most successful Football Club in Nigeria, with a terrifying nine league cups, two African Champions League cups and two CAF Super Cups to their credit. It is therefore obvious that you have been invited to do your toughest job yet.
3. You are stepping into the lofty shoes of Chief Felix Anyansi Agwu; Nigeria’s most decorated football Administrator, Nigeria’s most successful Football Administrator, one man whose charisma assumed an intimidating status for the over 20 years he called the shots as Chairman of Aba’s darling Club side.
4. Enyimba FC is not a “normal” Club side. Though owned by the Abia State Government, the Club is “controlled” by the ever supportive Aba fans, who are footballers, coaches and managers in their own right. It means, you have a duty to “worship” Aba fans if you must succeed. Apart from living in Aba, as the Chairman of their Club, you must identify with them at all times.
5. You may have discovered that despite the overwhelming popularity associated with Enyimba, hosting international matches, exporting players to top African, European and Asian Club sides, the Club does not have a befitting Corporate Office.
6. This condition, I can tell you for free is not because the former Chairman Anyansi does not understand the importance of branding and corporate identity, it is mostly because Football in Nigeria thrives on poor government patronage, nearly zero corporate sponsorship and stiffening interference from politicians who pay the piper.
7. You have a lot of work to do. Most importantly, you must stop the tradition of keeping vigil at the Accountant General’s office anytime you will play a match or engage in a competition. That way, you will succeed in restoring the glory of a Club that ended a 38 year old jinx of Nigeria not winning the coveted Champions League Cup.
8. You must resist the temptation of running the Club like a Cult. Make a show of which player you are “buying and who you are “selling”. Full disclosures of your financial exposures will save your the headache of misconceptions. Many football followers in Nigeria are yet to appreciate the fact that football in Nigeria is not yet lucrative for diverse reasons. Help Enyimba to be lucrative.
9. Enyimba deserves a Corporate Office and even a step further; a games village like the facility owned by Ismaili of Egypt which we used in 2003.
10. You see that Enyimba Stadium? You must find time to interact mutually with the many “gods” whose stay and activities there are as old as the Club. In doing this, you must put on your native “Aba sense”, stoop low to conquer and understand that football management in Europe follows a definite pattern. Here, it is just like the difference between local medicine and English medicine. Too many “concoctions”.
11. Enyimba has the most vibrant SUPPORTERS’ CLUB in Nigeria. I am not sure they have been accorded a befitting pride of place. Again, they are also caught in the cobweb of paucity of funds and a little bit of inappropriate recognition.
12. Aba fans still remember your glory days as the star boy of the Nigerian Super Eagles, Arsenal and Ajax Amsterdam Super Star. You only need to leverage on your goodwill as “Papilo” to make us proud. Enyimba is in dire need of help. May you succeed.
Ben Udechukwu
Director (Media & Publicity)
Enyimba Int’l SUPPORTERS Club
(2003 – 2011)
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