Nwankwo Christain Kanu is one of the living Legends of Nigerian football and a veteran of the country’s many soccer battles. His pride of place in Nigerian soccer history is very prominent being the most decorated and celebrated Nigerian footballer of all time.
Born in August 1976 in Owerri, Imo state, the leggy-striker also holds the record of being the most decorated footballer coming out of the African Continent and currently holds the post of special adviser on sports matters to the Governor of Imo state, Chief Rochas Okorocha.
He has won a UEFA Champions league medal (Ajax), a UEFA Cup medal (Inter-Milan), Premier League Trophy (Arsenal), FA Cup (Arsenal and Portsmouth) and an Olympic medal (Nigeria U-23 team). He has also won twice, the African Footballer of the year awards in ’96 and ’99 and domestic trophies with Ajax FC in Holland.
Kanu with a Height of 1.96 (6ft 5inches) began his foot balling career at the age of fifteen at Federal works, an Imo state division one club before moving to Iwuanyawu National (now Heartland), a professional league side in 1992.
After a superlative performance at the under 17fifa world cup in Japan in 1993, he was signed by Ajax Amsterdam, same year, and made his debut for the club in 1994. He played 54 matches for the Dutch side, scoring a total of 25 goals. It could be recalled that Kanu featured as a sub in Ajax’s 1995 European championships League final win over ax Milan.
In 1996 Ajax sold Kanu to Seria A side Internazional for about 4.7 million dollars. Another crowing moment of his soccer career came same year as he captained the Nigeria team to win the gold medal at the Olympic. He scored two late goals in the semi-final against Brazil to overturn a 2-3 score line into 4-3 miraculous win in extra time.
Kanu capped his exploits in 1996 with the African footballer of the year title.
It could be recalled that shortly after Papilo’s return from the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, the striker was told by Inter Milan’s doctor (the club he had just signed for) that he had a faulty value in his least and therefore could no longer play football again! ……..To be continued on Friday.
