English Premier League giants, Arsenal FC, have recently launched an away kit to celebrate the African heritage of many football fans in London and even on the African continent, Soccernet.ng reports.
In a video for the launch of the away kit, Kanu Nwankwo and Bukayo Saka, who are both of Nigerian origin, featured to emphasize Arsenal’s fan base in Africa.
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It cannot be denied that Nwankwo played a key role with his influence when he was playing for the Gunners, during which many Nigerian football fans started supporting Arsenal as they wanted to support one of their own, as well as fans from other African countries.
How Kanu Shaped Arsenal’s Nigerian Fanbase
Prominent Arsenal fan, Robbie Lyle, recently highlighted a key factor behind the London club’s substantial fanbase in Nigeria, which was a result of Kanu’s influence.
According to the football pundit, Kanu’s impactful tenure at Arsenal significantly boosted the club’s popularity among Nigerian fans.
Kanu joined Arsenal from Inter Milan in 1999 and quickly became a fan favorite. His five-year stint at Highbury saw him win the English Premier League and the FA Cup twice, contributing to Arsenal’s domestic success during that period.
Kanu’s skill, charisma, and memorable performances endeared him to fans not only in England but also back home in Nigeria.
Robbie Lyle Lauds Kanu
During a conversation with Lolade Adewuyi, Lyle elaborated on how Kanu’s presence at Arsenal sparked a wave of support for the club in Nigeria.
This surge in support was not just about the trophies but also about national pride, as the two-time African Footballer of the Year represented Nigeria on a global stage.
“Hugely influential. We love Kanu. He was huge, hugely influential. I went to Nigeria and we hosted a watch party. The numbers were massive and it absolutely blew me away. He’s such a humble guy and I’ve done a lot with his charity as well. Players like him and other African players are influential to that, and I think he’s been instrumental in the number of fans we have in Arsenal,” the AFTV host told Lolade Adewuyi.
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From London to Lagos
Arsenal has teamed up with Labrum London, a fashion brand that spotlights British African culture, to create a new jersey design inspired by the African continent.
This design pays homage to past Gunners stars such as Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Touré, and the legendary Kanu, who was a member of Arsenal's invincible squad.
In the promotional video, Kanu appears alongside current English footballer with Nigerian roots, Saka. The video showcases scenes from the vibrant streets of Lagos, Nigeria, featuring passengers, Okada (motorcycles), and Keke-Napep (tricycles). The soundtrack, influenced by Nigerian culture, includes “What is Life” by Ebo Taylor and Uhuru-Yenzu.
Arsenal’s Failed Preseason Tour In Nigeria
Earlier in 2012, Arsenal announced their bid to play the Steven Keshi-led Super Eagles squad at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in preparation for the upcoming season.
“We are delighted to announce that Arsenal Football Club will face the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Abuja,” said promoter David Omigie of DanJan Sports, as quoted by Channels TV.
At that time, DanJan Sports announced that they had finalized an agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to support a robust Super Eagles team.
“The NFF have agreed that the country will present a strong side as Coach Stephen Keshi continues his development process.
“The Arsenal manager [Arsene Wenger] will also use this game to showcase his full squad for the 2012/2013 football season,” Omigie said.
However, this tour was later cancelled, which sparked disappointments among Arsenal’s loyal Nigerian fans.
“With the proposed match in Nigeria scheduled for early August, we couldn’t ensure that all our requirements would be met in time. Therefore, we have reluctantly decided to postpone the team’s visit,” he stated, as quoted by Premium Times.
Acknowledging the Nigerian fan base, Premium Times highlighted the Marketing Director’s comments on the team's “huge and loyal following in Africa,” and expressed regret that “the team will not be visiting this summer.”
A Signal For A Preseason Tour In Nigeria?
Twelve years on, Nigerian football is making strides, with the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo and the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium regularly hosting international teams on standout pitches.
The African-inspired jersey pays tribute to Arsenal’s loyal Nigerian fans, making this an ideal time to launch a tour for the club’s massive fanbase in Nigeria.
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