Kanu Wining Goal Help To Secure Contract Extension

Portsmouth’s FA Cup final hero Nwankwo Kanu has used Saturday’s Wembley victory to make a fresh case to be given a new contract extension by the South Coast outfit.
Speaking to SkySports soon after the game ended in front of a capacity crowd at the stadium, Kanu said he hoped his performance was good enough to convince Fratton Park officials to give him a new deal.
“I’m very happy for the club I hope the coach and the owner will be happy enough to give me a new contract,” Kanu told the station.
SkySports promptly sought a response from Pompey boss Harry Redknapp, who brushed aside the Nigerian international’s fears.
“He is already entitled to a new contract, he’s a great player and I love him,” a very delighted manager said of the ex-Arsenal star he gambled on two seasons ago.
Redknapp learnt of Kanu’s decision not to follow West Brom out of the Premiership and immediately offered him a life line. After talks lasting barely 48 hours, Redknapp made the former Inter star his last signing of the 2006/7 season to the surprise of many of his colleagues who felt the lanky player was past it.
But Kanu repaid his manager’s faith in him be emerging the team’s leading scorer in his first season and perhaps more importantly lasting the distance.
Although he has not been as productive this campaign, Kanu did score all the vital goals in Pompey’s march to the FA Cup.
He scored the lone goal in the 1-0 semi-final win over his former club West Brom and was also on target on Saturday in a game in which he had earlier struck the post.
For Kanu Saturday’s win was his 12th major honour further cementing his place in the books at the most trophy laden player to have come out of Africa.
During his long stint in Europe Kanu has won the UEFA Champions League with Ajax, in addition to three domestic Dutch titles, two Premiership and two FA Cups with Arsenal. In 2004 he lifted the FA Community Shield with the Gunners. He also won the UEFA Cup with Inter in 1998. In all Kanu has amassed 13 major trophies, with the addition of Saturday’s win over Cardiff, when one adds his two African Footballer of the Year awards.