NaijaWire

Nigerian Nwankwo Kanu lone goal wins British FA Cup for Portsmouth

London - Celebrated Nigerian Super Eagles’ Skipper, Nwankwo Kanu, scored the only goal via a cross from fellow Nigerian Portsmouth’s teammate, John Utaka, that sealed victory for British premiership side, Portsmouth against Cardiff FC, to win the FA Cup for the first time since 1939.

Kanu scrambled home the winning goal at the near post eight minutes before half-time after Cardiff keeper Peter Enckelman fumbled fellow Nigerian team mate, John Utaka’s cross.

Kanu had missed scoring just a few minutes earlier on 21st minute when he rounded Keeper Enckelman and Glenn Loovens after he took a pass from Sulley Muntari in his stride, only to send his effort against the outside of the post with the goal unguarded. And it was defender Loovens who went closest to an equalizer for Cardiff, chipping the ball into the net on 45 minutes only to see Referee Mike Dean rule the goal out for a handball offense.

Cardiff enjoyed possession but rarely posed a serious threat. The underdogs, who were trying to become the first team from outside the top flight to win the Cup since West Ham United beat Arsenal in 1980, played with spirit, but did not have the quality to seriously disturb the Pompey defense, in which Campbell and Sylvain Distin were outstanding.
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp described the victory as a “dream come true”. Redknapp said “It’s fantastic for everybody - my family, the players, it’s great. It has been a difficult year off the field so to win the FA Cup is a dream come true. “Cardiff were putting us under pressure, putting balls in the box, they played well and worked hard.

“When we get in front we’re difficult to break down and the defense were terrific.” Goalkeeper David James added: “It was another hard game, a bit scrappy again but we deserved to win. “The lads held tight, we’ve only conceded one goal in the whole competition and we’ve been good.”

Asked about his manager Redknapp, James said: “Harry’s a legend now isn’t he? Hats off, well done Harry.” Defender Sol Campbell, part of the Pompey defense that withstood some late pressure from the Championship side, said: “It’s fantastic, this is a brilliant day for everyone who’s connected with Portsmouth. “We worked hard, we had our luck through the rounds but in the end the result was good.

Kanu hit the post with an earlier chance, but added: “I kept going, I kept my head down and I scored. “You have to take your chance and that’s what I did. “Portsmouth is not one of the four big clubs, no-one could believe we were going to do it and we did it.”

King Kanu as he is fondly called by Pompey fans, now hopes to stay on with the Fratton Park club. An elated Kanu said in a post match interview: “I hope the fans, Harry, the owner of the club, and everyone at the club will remember this day and they are going to give me a contract.”

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