King Kanu bows out on high

Nwankwo Kanu is a soccer colossus and he bestrode the football fields leaving a list of achievements that is a thousand miles long. He also left a long lasting impression on the minds of football followers and to the entire nation he is forever a hero.

An avalanche of accolades have been heaped on Kanu by football fans world over. Fans who will never forget those delicate twists and turns with which Kanu scored vital goals with ease. From Owerri, to Amsterdam, Milan, London  Kanu distinguished himself in his career… No wonder they crowned him a King.

Kanu had the honor of playing international football with the Nigeria teams starting from the Under 17 , Under -23 and the Eagles, which he captained to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. It was at that tournament that the bells of retirement started ringing loud for Kanu and what else does a man who had won 86 caps want to prove?

King Kanu bows out

He played his part and it was time to move on and allow the young bloods coming behind to take their turn to shine. But is is obvious that Kanu’s shoes are too big to fit any of the young lads in the present bunch of Eagles.

Kanu will be honored with a testimonial at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Saturday with a long list of soccer greats committed to playing in the game meant wish Kanu well in retirement. Perhaps while enjoying the fruit of his labour, Kanu will not totally abandon football and pursue other life callings.

This is because he had shown that he would be a good coach. And someday he would fulfill the prophesy made by Lars Lagerback the Swedish coach who led Nigeria to the South Africa 2010 World Cup. Lagerback advised Nigeria to hire players like Kanu to be coach rather than chasing after ‘losers’ in Europe to come and coach the Eagles.

He already started by attaching himself to the national team having been made an ambassador by the Nigeria Football Federation.

“Now as an NFF ambassador, I will help them to liaise with the foreign clubs, liaising with the coaches and making sure the youths of Nigerians get the chance (to do well) and make sure they improve.

“It is high time we start to recognize our young players. I will keep myself busy especially trying to help the youths from the grassroots, the talents are there and we have to start encouraging them,” Kanu declared.

Kanu came to soccer limelight when he signed for Iwuanyanwu Nationale in 1992.  He was called by Fanny Amun to the Under-17 team for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Japan, Kanu showed the world his skills as his contributions were vital to Nigeria winning the trophy. He was rewarded with a move to Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam. He made his Ajax debut the following year and went on to score 25 goals in 54 appearances.

In 1996 he led Nigeria to the famous 3-2 win over Brazil in the gold medal game of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Shortly after he he signed for Inter Milan for around $4.7 million, but his summer joy came crashing down when it was discovered that he had a serious heart condition.

He underwent a corrective surgery in November 1996 to replace an aortic valve and did not return to his club until April 1997. This episode brought Kanu closer to God and he showed his appreciation by going into Charity and through his Kanu Heart Foundation, he has brought hope to many children with heart conditions.

Perhaps this was what kept Kanu going in his post- surgery era. He enjoyed a fruitful spell with Arsenal  scoring 44 goals from 197 appearances. Most times he came from the bench to win matches for Arsenal . One memorable game was when he came from the bench to score a second-half hat-trick against Chelsea. He was voted 13th on the list of Arsenal’s greatest 50 players.

In 2004 Arsenal manager refused to renew Kanu’s contract and he moved on West Brom. He spent three seasons there and in 2007 he moved to Portsmouth where he has kept the faith.

Club Honors
1991–1992     Fed Works
1992–1993     Iwuanyanwu
Nationale
1993–1996     Ajax
1996–1999     Internazionale
1999–2004     Arsenal
2004–2006     West Bromwich     Albion
2006–     Portsmouth

Titles
Iwuanyawu Nationale
Nigerian Premier League:     1992–93
Ajax
Dutch league:1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96
UEFA Champions League: 1994–95
UEFA Super Cup: 1995
Intercontinental Cup: 1995
Inter
UEFA Cup: 1997–98
Arsenal
Premier League: 2001–02, 2003–04
FA Cup: 2001–02, 2002–03
FA Community Shield: 1999
Portsmouth
FA Cup: 2007–08
Intentional
FIFA U-17 World Cup: 1993
Olympic Gold Medal: 1996
Awards
African Footballer of the Year: 1996, 1999
BBC African Footballer of the Year: 1997, 1999

Posted: at 10-06-2011 02:00 AM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac

this is a true player

Posted: at 25-06-2011 12:58 PM (12 years ago) | Newbie

HE IS A NICE MAN FOR ANY GOOD THINGS U THINK OF

Posted: at 9-07-2011 10:29 PM (12 years ago) | Upcoming

 

Posted: at 9-07-2011 11:21 PM (12 years ago) | Grande Master