The Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, on Saturday, met with former Chelsea and England football coach, Thomas Tuchel, in London.
The annual polo tournament, informally dubbed “Khalifa’s Cup” over the past decade due to the Emir’s consistent involvement, has continued to attract top international players and high-profile guests.
This year’s edition featured notable polo players who have won previous championships, including the children of Dahiru Manga, businessman Tunde Folawiyo, and other figures from various sectors.
Photos shared via the @masarautakano handle on X (formerly Twitter) showed Emir Sanusi at the event in the company of Katsina State Governor Dikko Umar Radda and Niger State Governor Umar Bago.
Organizers used the event to promote education-related fundraising efforts across Northern Nigeria. According to event participants, Tunde Folawiyo led this year’s drive to support classroom construction and education initiatives.
Another set of images circulated on the X handle @ArewaFactsZone, showing Emir Sanusi in conversation with Thomas Tuchel.
The meeting sparked online discussions, with many intrigued by the interaction between a prominent Nigerian traditional leader and a globally recognized football coach.
While the content of their discussion wasn’t disclosed in the public posts, the images generated speculation among fans. Some described the interaction as “a power meeting,” while others made light-hearted jokes about Tuchel potentially managing Kano Pillars FC.
In a message relayed through his associate, Yushau Okanlawan, from London, Emir Sanusi offered insight into their conversation. He said the encounter was unplanned and the two men exchanged football banter.
“But it was a chance meeting and I am known as an Arsenal fan. So I told him I am an Arsenal fan and he said, ‘Arsenal is a very good club. You have just bought one of my players, Noni Madueke,’” Sanusi explained.
“Although Tuchel had managed Chelsea, it was clear he now considers all English clubs to be his as England manager and was quite at ease with this Arsenal fan,” the Emir added.
Thomas Tuchel is widely regarded for his tactical expertise and guided Chelsea to the UEFA Champions League title in 2021. He remains one of Europe’s most prominent football tacticians.
Emir Sanusi, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, is internationally recognized in the field of Islamic finance. He is known for his critical views on governance, education, and economic policy.
After his time at the CBN, Sanusi returned to academia, earning a PhD in Islamic Law from the University of London.
His dissertation was titled “Codification of Islamic Family Law as an Instrument of Social Reform: A Case Study of the Emirate of Kano and Comparison with the Kingdom of Morocco.”