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Wednesday's Connector – John Fashanu
John Fashanu is perhaps best known for his 20-year career in English top-flight football, and more recently for his television and media work.
Less well-known is his role in the African game. He worked to develop the professional sport in Ghana and Zambia, before becoming Nigeria's Ambassador for Sport and Tourism.
He's also worked tirelessly for a raft of charities focusing on the needs of underprivileged children and held the post of UNICEF Ambassador for Africa before expanding his personal philanthropy with the formation of the John Fashanu Charity Trust.
Here's your chance to ask John Fashanu a question.
Maybe you want to know how he thinks the Nigerian national football squad can improve on this year's World Cup performances? How does he see the state of football today? What role does he think sporting events like the World Cup have in promoting the work of charities in the host nation?
Please leave your questions for John Fashanu below, and remember to tell us where you are writing in from.
mr. fashanu how do u feel now working for ur people? and do u think nigeria foottball will improve beyound what we have now with thesame crop of people managing it? thank you.
Who is your most admired player?
If you could choose to do anything other than football what would it be?
hi john, how are you doing? how are you and other well intended nigerians who have the interest of our football and ita administeration get voted into the NFF? how do you think competitve school football can be reorganised as that is the foundational structure of successful national teams?
henry
My interest is on charity as i can see that "Fash the Bash" has formed one. Though a banker, but i was instrumental to the formation of a self help organization – Neke Self-Help Organization (nesho)- towards helping local farmers and petty traders in Nigeria.
Our greatest challenge is funding. To this end, i will like to know if there is any form of assistance/aid we could get from John Fashanu Charity Trust?
Thank you
Andy Agbo, from Lagos – Nigeria
John,
Nigerian football administration is a giant corrupt entity that stains everything that comes its way. My advise for you is, if you want anything in football nigeria. Help us develop a club side team here in Nigeria that can bring happiness to our souls, the way Manchested united, Liverpool, Barca and likes does. Please stay away from government sponsored football administration. When a real government of the people comes, we will call you....for now, do the right thing....help our local league by being part of a club side.
thank you in advance.
John,
l am afraid you might be a failure in your endeavours concerning raising the height of football in Nigeria as you are not following the ethic you grew up with in UK . You have been dine and wining with the mighty of Nigeria political class and mixing business with charity.
Down to earth, what you need doing is monitoring young football talents through football Academy, the result you will get from this will surely gladden your mind and that of Nigeria populace when these growing talents compete in international matches.
Hello Mr. Fashanu,
Do you think hiring a foregn coach is a solution to the problem of football in Nigeria? from my own opinion, most of the foreign coaches hired so far have not done better than the local ones.
Zakaroyah Agboola From Japan
John, what gave you more satisfaction, playing for Wimbledon or standing in front of a camera shouting "Awooga"?
How can you contribute personally to the development of Nigerian football despite refusing to play for nigeria in the 80s.Opting instead for England with the reason been THAT YOUR FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHTER TO PLAY FOR ENGLAND.
Compared to top stars in european countries ,top african players prefer playing for their clubs than their country.What can be done to help raise this awareness amongst african players to take the issue of playing for their country more seriously.
Are you supportive of gay players who would like to come out ?
Many thanks.
Hi John, as a big Liverpool fan I remember very clearly your goal against us back in 1980 it was one of my first game at Anfield and to this day after more than 25 years as a season ticket holder at Anfield it still remains one of the best goals I have ever seen.
Do you think Liverpool can become once again a major force in the English game? what are your thoughts on our new managment appointment?
Ref your headliner on your Home Page: John Fashanu a legend? You gotta be kidding me? He wasnt even a top dog player during his playing days....
What is the reason behind the failure of African Youth Players especially from Ghana and Nigeria who fail to live up to their perceived talent during their stints with U-17 and U-20, instead their less promising counterparts from other continents gradually improve later on in their career whilst the players from the above mentioned countries tend to dwindle with their performance....
Hello John "Fash" Fashanu and CNN friends,
I would like an answer from John Fashanu on the following questions:
– What is your opinion on the way South Africa has organized the FIFA 2010 World Cup so far?
– What is your opinion on the African Rituals Before, During and After Soccer matches?
– What needs to be done to Stop Soccer Foot Injuries during Football matches?
– What is your opinion on the referees decisions during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa?
– Who will win the South Africa World Cup?
– What can we expect from you in 2010?
– How are you inspiring people all over the world to make our world a Better Healthier and Beautiful Place?
I am awaiting John "Fash" Fashanu’s replies.
Greetings,
Jurgen R. Brul
Hometown: Paramaribo
Country: Suriname
Hi mr john,can you tell us the solution for nigeria football in future as things is going right now and what is the solution for the curruption in NFA,and do you think the president action in the pour perfomance in south africa world cup is ok.
Hi John,
Your passion for the growth of football in Nigeria has always being a source of inspiration for most of us who has lost hope in Nigerian football. All I want to say is that, now that you are in position of authority in the NFF, Pls try as much as possible to do something that you will be remembered for, which will in the end bring about developments to football and sports generally in Nigeria. Thanks and have a nice day.
With Corruption being imbedded in the Nigerian soceity ,Mr Fash. how do you think square pegs in round holes can be unplugged from the NFF, so as to give the talented players a chance to play in the National Team.
Kallunci from Germany
Hi,
Do you wish that you had done more to help your brother when he most needed you?
Will you work to change attitiudes towards gay people in Africa in his memory?
why are you interested in nigeria football now,when you are invited to play for them you choose to play for england,we dont think we need you in anything in africa,people like you are not welcome,you betray your father land.so leave us alone we will run our football without you.
Hello John, You were on the board of the Nigerian Football Association for while but then you left under controversial circumstances, could you please tell us what the problem was?
Thanx
Abuja, Nigeria!
Mr Fashanu, its good to see you interested in developing Nigerian football and Nigeria as a country. Please consider joining the new NFF leadership that's coming in since President Jonathan has changed his mind about banning our teams. We need credible and knowledgeable people not the star-shaped pegs that have been forcing themselves into the round holes of Nigerian football. What do you say?
Emmanuel, Lagos – Nigeria.
Hello John,
How do you feel being being an Ambassador for Nigeria on Sports bearing in mind that, it is the same country that you you turned your back on (dishonoured) to represent during your active football carear.
It is really unfortunate, you know.
Best Luck.
Hi John, During your hay days in football, you never showed interest in playing for the Nigeria's national team or flying Nigeria's flag. Why do you think you can make the difference you couldn't as a footballer now that you are Nigeria's Ambassador for Sport and Tourism.
Lagos/Nigeria
Hi John,
It is unfortunate to know pple like you are there and our football administration is in a big mess. As a nigerian ambassador, what efforts have you or are you making to be part of nigerian football administration. Though l still reservations on ur patrioticism.
Best Rgds.
Bamidele, Lagos
do you think that south africa's anti aids message ,that is supposed to be running was another case of football being used again for someone's personal gains,a problem that continues to blight african football .
John, a news surface in one of the Nigerian dailies that you were duped by a british man, How true is this story?
Daniel, London
in answer to andy if you had been at carrow road norwich v liverpool ,i,m hoping john will rate his late brother justin as a player highly respected .yes an old norwich visiter i do be .
any regrets about your brother Justin's last years? If a film was made of his life how do you think you'd be portrayed?
a month ago who did you you HONESTLY think was going to win south africa 2010?
Overall do you think South africa did a good job of representing the continent in this world cup?
What would you have done differnetly?
What was your favorite moment in your football career?
and also your worst?
a month ago who did you really think was going to win the world cup? AND BE HONEST