Kanu Invites Essien ...

.. for African all-star game
ENGLISH Premiership side, Portsmouth, has announced it would host the charity football match being organised by Super Eagles' Nwankwo Kanu.

The game, which is shaping up as a match for African all-stars, will take place at the club's home ground, the Fratton Park. Arsenal's Kolo Toure (Cote d'Ivoire) and Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo) will join Chelsea's Ghanaian midfielder, Michael Essien, and Super Eagles' Mikel John Obi on the pitch to raise funds for Nwankwo Kanu Heart Foundation on May 20.

Other England-based Nigerians, including Newcastle United's striker, Obafemi Martins, Bolton Wanderers' former midfielder, Jay-Jay Okocha, and Middlesbrough's striker, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, could line up in a "Friends of Kanu" side. Senegal's Amady Faye (Charlton) and Diomansy Kamara (West Brom) are also expected to take part.

Kanu needed life-saving heart surgery in 1996 after a routine medical during his transfer from Inter Milan to Ajax revealed cardiac problems. The Nigerian marksman set up the charity as a result to provide funds for sick children with similar ailments in Africa.

The offer to host the game could be seen as a move by Portsmouth to smoothen the renewal of Kanu's contract.

Kanu has been adamant that he will not sign for anything less than a new two-year deal while the club so far has only offered a 12-month extension. The 30-year-old striker has scored 12 goals in the English Premiership so far this season.

Portsmouth is hopeful it can now persuade Kanu to sign a one-year offer and an option to sign another provided he plays a minimum of 25 games next season.