Coaching Career For Kanu

Nwankwo Kanu

Former Nigeria skipper Nwankwo Kanu has bagged a new three-year contract with English Championship side Portsmouth with the aim of training to be a coach during that time.  

Portsmouth administrator, Andrew Andronikou, disclosed that 34-year-old Kanu has agreed a fresh contract to stay at Fratton Park and could feature in the home game against Cardiff this weekend.   

Andronikou further told The News: "Kanu has signed a playing contract for the next three years, with a view to becoming a coach when he takes his badges.

"It's a straight three-year-deal and we hope him staying at the club can help us bring in new players."   

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had also toyed with the idea of making Kanu as player-coach for the 2010 World Cup.   

In the mean time, Kanu's compatriot at Pompey, John Utaka, has returned to action after pulling his hamstring against Reading a fortnight ago.   

Portsmouth manager, Steve Cotterill confirmed Utaka's return to training.   

"John Utaka has a history of hamstring injuries. We need to test him and find out what's weak and what's strong and then work on those hamstrings after training, so he doesn't have those problems," said Cotterill.   

"But he's back in training now and unless we get any adverse reaction, John can be involved in the squad for the weekend."