Rivers United signs Malian star, Kanoute

Malian star, Abdoulaye Kanoute has joined Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club, Rivers United after stints in Lebanon, Bahrain and India. 

Kanoute joins the Port Harcourt club as a free agent.

He has signed a one-year deal with the ‘Pride of Rivers’ after a four-year spell at Lebanese Premier League club Shabab Al-Sahel.

The 26-year-old who is in line to make his debut for Rivers United in Friday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) game against Lobi Stars in Makurdi spoke about his happiness at sealing the deal. 

“I am happy to join this club which has a family atmosphere and I have been accepted by the rest of the squad,” Kanoute told supersport.com on Thursday. 

“The coach (Stanley Eguma) saw my video and believed I can help the club especially in the Caf Confederation Cup.

“I hope to do my best to help the club,” he said. 

Eguma, on his part, explained that Kanoute brings ‘something special’ to the team. 

“It is not always that I sign players that I have not watched in person but after watching his videos, I was convinced. 

“Also, our scouting team led by Bright Ogude was impressed with him so it was not a unilateral decision. 

“Having watched him closely these past few days, I can say that Kanoute brings something special to the team and we only hope he can adapt quickly to Nigerian football.

“I will decide (on Friday) morning whether or not he will play against Lobi Stars but he has done well in training this week and has been included in the match day squad,” he said.

Kanoute joins other foreign nationals like Yaovi Douhadji (Togo), Zoumana Doumbia (Mali), Godbless Asamoah (Ghana), Aliassou Sanou (Burkina Faso) and Guy Kuemian (the Ivory Coast) at the Rivers United set up.

Born on May 14, 1992, Abdoulaye has previously played for Bahrain First Division League club, Malkiya and National Football League (India) club, Churchill Brothers SC.