Kanu, Utaka Go For FA Cup Glory

By Tosin Omojola - 17.05.2008

Ectasy: Kanu celebrates one of his goals for
Portsmouth. Will he repeat the same today?SUPER Eagles captain, Kanu Nwankwo, and his compatriot, John Utaka, eye a glorious end to the season as they lead their premiership side Portsmouth FC in the battle for English oldest trophy, the FA Cup.

Portsmouth takes on one of English’s oldest clubs, Cardiff, in the final of the Championship which is billed for the famous Wembley Stadium.

Pappilo, as Kanu is fondly called is the main man on whose shoulder Harry Redknapp, Portsmouth boss, puts his hope for a sweet return to the Fratton Park. Few days ago, the Pompey boss showered encomium on the Nigerian skipper, describing him as the king of African football, a kind of moral booster for the former Inter Milan player who is gunning for his second shot at the coveted trophy having won the tittle few years ago in the colour o.f Arsenal.

Victory for the Pompeys today will add to the silverware of the Eagles captain which will make him the most successful Nigerian player ever,having won the English FA Cup,as well as the English Premiership, both for Arsenal; an Olympic gold medal, FIFA U-17 title, in addition to medals in the African Cup of Nations, capping it up with a senior World Cup appearance.

Nigerian soccer fans will therefore look forward to this encounter with their minds set on a successful outing for Pappilo and Utaka who, if fielded, will attempt to use the opportunity in convincing Portsmouth fans that they're not a let down as they claimed a few days ago.

Portsmouth eliminated Manchester United in the quarter final before beating West Bromwich Albion in the semi-final, courtesy of Kanu’s single strike, while Cardiff put a stop to the fiery run of Barnsley ,winning the semi -final game 1-0 to set up this final duel.