Nwankwo Kanu OON ( born 1 August 1976 ) is a nigerian early professional football player who played as a ahead. He was a extremity of the Nigeria home team, and played for nigerian team Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Dutch side Ajax, Inter Milan of Italy, and English clubs Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth. [ 5 ] Kanu won a UEFA Champions League decoration, a UEFA Cup decoration, three FA Cup medals and two African Player of the class awards amongst others. He is one of few players to have won the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, UEFA Cup and an Olympic Gold Medal. [ 6 ] He made the third-most substitute appearances in Premier League history, appearing from the workbench 118 times, [ 7 ] and is regarded as one of the best players in african football history. [ 8 ]
Reading: Nwankwo Kanu – Wikipedia
He is besides a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, [ 9 ] and african post ambassador for digital television operator StarTimes. [ 10 ] He is besides the owner of Kanu Sports television receiver, an Internet sports television receiver ship’s company. [ 11 ] [ 12 ]
Club career [edit ]
early career [edit ]
Born in Owerri, Imo state, [ 2 ] Nigeria, Kanu began his career at Nigerian league baseball club Federation Works, before moving to Iwuanyanwu Nationale. After a noteworthy performance at the U-17 World Championships, he was signed by Dutch Eredivisie AFC Ajax in 1993 for an undisclosed tip. [ 13 ] He made his Ajax debut that class and went on to score 25 goals in 54 appearances. Kanu besides came on as a substitute in Ajax ‘s 1995 UEFA Champions League final gain over AC Milan. And the future year he started in the 1996 UEFA Champions League Final against Juventus. [ 14 ]
bury [edit ]
In 1996, Ajax sold Kanu to Serie A side Inter Milan for around $ 4.7 million. That summer he captained the Nigeria national team that won aureate at the Olympics, and scored two late goals in the semi-finals against powerhouses Brazil to overturn a 2–3 scoreline into a 4–3 gain in extra clock. [ 15 ] Kanu was besides named African Footballer of the year for that year. [ 16 ] however, soon after returning from the Olympics, Kanu underwent a aesculapian examination at Inter, which revealed a serious heart defect, and it was believed by doctors that his career was all over. [ 17 ] He undergo successful operation in November to replace an aortal valve, [ 18 ] and did not return to his club until April 1997. In interviews, Kanu frequently cites his religion as a Christian, [ 19 ] and has frequently mentioned this trying time of his career as an occasion when he prayed to God. Kanu ‘s have besides led to his founding the Kanu Heart Foundation, an constitution that helps predominantly youthful African children who suffer heart defects and whose work was expanded to provide aid for homeless children in 2008. [ 20 ]
arsenal [edit ]
In February 1999, after equitable twelve league games and one goal for Inter, Kanu was signed by Arsenal for approximately £4.15 million. He made his debut for Arsenal, against Sheffield United in the FA Cup. With the score 1–1 and ten minutes to go, the Sheffield United goalkeeper Alan Kelly kicked the ball out of affect so that treatment could be given to Lee Morris. When the ball was thrown back into play by Ray Parlour, although it was intended for Kelly, Kanu chased the throw-in down the correct wing undisputed and centered the ball for Marc Overmars, who scored to make the equal 2–1. After the match, Arsenal coach Arsène Wenger accepted that it was not compensate sportsmanship and offered to re-play the match [ 21 ] which was again won by Arsenal. [ 22 ] Despite the events overshadowing his debut, Kanu ‘s career was promptly revived at Arsenal. He scored his first goal for the clubhouse in the future round of the cup against Derby County, coming off the judiciary to net the only finish of the game. [ 23 ] He quickly became known for his goal scoring art from the terrace, scoring authoritative goals against Sheffield Wednesday, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa as a stand-in. [ 24 ] [ 25 ] [ 26 ] He became very popular among the fans for his two-fingered salute which started in 1999 against Middlesbrough – something that he belated explained was based on the team ‘s dub, The Gunners. [ 27 ] Kanu was named African Footballer of the class for the second gear clock in 1999. In the 1999–2000 season he scored 17 times in 50 matches for the Gunners, including a hat-trick in fifteen minutes against Chelsea in October 1999 to turn a 2–0 deficit into a 3–2 victory. In August 2001, Arsenal rejected a invite from Fulham of around £7m for Kanu. [ 28 ] however, Kanu ‘s appearances for Arsenal gradually became less frequent, particularly after the emergence of Thierry Henry as Arsenal ‘s first choice striker with Kanu being chiefly used as a substitute. Kanu then won the 2003 FA Cup with Arsenal. [ 29 ] Along with other celebrated players, such as Henry and Robert Pires, Kanu is a member of the “ Invincibles ”, the Arsenal side that finished the 2003–04 season of the Premier League undefeated. He played 197 games for Arsenal, scoring 44 goals. In the summer of 2004, after his condense with Arsenal ended, he moved to West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer. In 2008, Kanu was voted 13th in the “ Gunners ‘ Greatest 50 Players ” poll. [ 30 ] In the summer of 2006, Kanu played as a guest for Arsenal in Dennis Bergkamp ‘s testimony game, the foremost equal to be played in Arsenal ‘s modern Emirates Stadium. The game was tied 1–1 when Kanu scored the gain finish, making him the third gear person to score in the stadium. At the end of the match, Kanu joined the remainder of the Arsenal english in hoisting the withdraw Dutchman on their shoulders as fans gave him a standing ovation. [ 31 ] [ 32 ] He remains a popular figure at Arsenal, being applauded when he appears at the Emirates Stadium. [ 33 ] During his time with the golf club, he wore the number 25 shirt. [ 34 ]
West Bromwich Albion [edit ]
West Bromwich Albion had just been promoted to the Premier League for the second time in the quad of two years. Kanu started as a regular for the club, making his introduction in a 1–1 draw away at Blackburn Rovers on 14 August 2004. He scored his first goal for Albion on 18 September 2004, an 88th-minute equalizer in a 1–1 home draw against Fulham. [ 14 ] In a couple against Middlesbrough on 14 November 2004, Kanu was guilty of an incredible miss in injury prison term, with Albion 2–1 down. Kanu had sent a depleted cross over the legal profession from a yard away from the goal line. Manager Bryan Robson was seen in television receiver footage mouthing the words “ How did he miss that ? “, and Kanu ‘s howler was crowned “ Miss of the Season ” by many media outlets in their end-of-season reviews. [ 35 ] Nevertheless, the 2004–05 temper was ultimately a memorable one for West Bromwich Albion, as they became the first club to avoid relegation from the Premier League after being bottom of the table at Christmas. [ 36 ] One of the most memorable games of the 2005–06 temper for Kanu came with the visit of his former baseball club Arsenal to The Hawthorns on 15 October 2005. Philippe Senderos put the visitors ahead in the 17th moment, but Kanu equalised shortly before half fourth dimension. West Brom went on to win the match 2–1 with a spectacular strike from Darren Carter. It was their first dwelling acquire over Arsenal since 1973, [ 37 ] and the first time that they had come from behind to win a Premier League game. [ 38 ] But such highlights were rare for Albion that season, and the club was relegated at the end of 2005–06. Kanu ‘s abridge had expired, and he chose not to renew it. In his two years at The Hawthorns he made a total of 58 appearances – 16 of them as a substitute – and scored nine goals. [ 14 ]
portsmouth [edit ]
Portsmouth beginning vanadium AC Milan. Kanu was a free agent following his deviation from West Brom, and he signed for Portsmouth on a annual cope shortly before the start of the 2006–07 temper. [ 39 ] Pompey had undergone a revival in the second half of the former campaign, following the tax return of Harry Redknapp as director, avoiding relegation by four points after being in serious danger at the flex of the year. At the start of the 2006–07 season, they were undefeated in their first five games, during which they did not concede a single goal. Kanu made his introduction for Portsmouth as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers on 19 August 2006, the open day of the 2006–07 Premier League season. He scored doubly and missed a punishment. [ 40 ] Kanu went on to finish the season as the lead goalscorer for Portsmouth, with 12 goals all in all. He then signed a fresh one year batch with the club. [ 41 ]
Kanu playing for Portsmouth in 2007 In his second base season at Portsmouth, Kanu scored in both the FA Cup 1–0 semi-final win against West Bromwich Albion and the 1–0 succeed in the concluding against Cardiff City, earning him a third base FA Cup winner ‘s decoration. [ 42 ] [ 43 ] His first finish of the 2008–09 season put Portsmouth 2–0 up in their eventual 2–2 UEFA Cup draw with italian club AC Milan. He late scored the winning goal against Bolton Wanderers, which ensured Pompey ‘s mathematical guard. It was his only Premier League goal of 2008–09. He re-signed with Pompey in August 2010, with an eye on becoming a passenger car when he retired. [ 44 ] Kanu signed a three-year deal and kept the number 27 shirt, [ 45 ] but was not a even starter throughout the course of the season and merely managed two goals. [ 46 ] During the 2011–12 season, his play clock time was reduced, appearing only from the bench. After the departure of Steve Cotterill, and the arrival of Michael Appleton, he was besides removed from the workbench, due to fitness and injury problems. By May 2012, aided by a point deduction for entering administration Portsmouth had found themselves in a delegating conflict which finally ended in them relegated to League One. [ 47 ] To cut costs the Administrator hoped to reach agreement to terminate the contracts of Kanu along with six other players due to them being the highest-earning players at the club. On 9 July 2012, it was announced that Kanu and Aaron Mokoena were expected to leave the club after failing to attend the first day back at pre-season educate. [ 48 ] Kanu threatened to sue Portsmouth for unpaid back wages. [ 49 ] On 30 July, Kanu agreed to leave Portsmouth, but he reiterated that he was still in a dispute over the unpaid wages that the golf club owed him. [ 50 ] In April 2013 he confirmed that he had dropped the case and let the cabaret off the £3 million he claimed he was owed. [ 49 ]
International career [edit ]
Kanu was a member of the Nigeria national team from 1994 to 2010, making his debut in friendly against Sweden. Earlier on at the begin of his career, Kanu was instrumental in Nigeria ‘s overall success at the 1993 FIFA U-17 tournament in Japan and their subsequent 2–1 victory over Ghana in the final. With five goals, he was moment joint-scorer in the tournament with Peter Anosike and Manuel Neira, behind compatriot and Captain Wilson Oruma. [ 51 ] arsenic well as winning the Olympic gold in the football consequence at 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, where he scored the winning goal in the 4–3 semi-final acquire over Brazil, his second goal of the couple. [ 52 ] Kanu participated in the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups. On 24 June 2010, Kanu ended his international career following Nigeria ‘s exit from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Nigeria lost their group matches against Argentina and Greece, before a 2–2 reap with South Korea ended their last out in the tournament. [ 53 ] He won 86 caps and scored 13 goals for his state and was the joint most capped Nigerian player of all-time aboard Muda Lawal, until Joseph Yobo surpassed both players in 2012, winning his 87th hood. [ 54 ] Despite serving as a striker, he wore the number 4 shirt for Nigeria. [ 34 ] [ 55 ]
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style of play [edit ]
Despite his physical persuasiveness, lissome frame, and large stature of 1.97 megabyte ( 6 foot 6 in ), Kanu was a talented player, who was promptly and elegant in possession, and who possessed an excellent touch on the ball and agile footwork ; he was besides highly regarded in the media for his technical skills, dribbling ability, and close control, american samoa well as his flare and function of feints, which made him an unpredictable player on the pitch. He was besides an intelligent player, who possessed adept vision and apparent motion, ampere well as being a commodity passer, who had the ability to read the game and an center for the concluding ball, which – along with his time and complete ability – allowed him both to score and make goals ; however, he besides lacked significant yard, and drew criticism at times in the media over his work-rate, “ dreamy ” playing expressive style, and periodic tendency to miss easy goalscoring opportunities. [ 56 ] [ 57 ] [ 58 ] [ 59 ] [ 60 ] [ 61 ] [ 62 ] [ 63 ] [ 64 ] [ 65 ] [ 66 ] [ 67 ] [ 68 ] [ 69 ] Although he was often deployed as a centre-forward or striker, [ 70 ] [ 71 ] his creativity besides allowed him to operate in a more bow out attacking role behind or supporting the main hitter, or even in an advance playmaking character. [ 67 ] [ 72 ] Although his altitude made him a firm presence in the vent, he was more adept at scoring with his feet than with his head, despite his size, although he improved upon his forward pass bet on in his former career. [ 59 ] [ 73 ] [ 74 ] [ 75 ] [ 76 ] [ 77 ] He was besides known for his determination and ability to hold-up the testis with his back to finish. [ 78 ] [ 79 ] furthermore, his ability to score decisive goals when coming off the workbench earned him a reputation as a “ ace bomber ” in the media during his clock with Arsenal. [ 80 ] however, despite being a gifted actor, he was besides known for being discrepant, [ 81 ] and his congenital heart defect is thought to have had a damaging shock on his career and seaworthiness, although he was able to improve his stamen following corrective surgery through his education. [ 63 ] [ 82 ] [ 83 ] He is considered by pundits to be one of the greatest african players of all time, [ 8 ] and by some, as the greatest nigerian player ever. [ 83 ]
personal life [edit ]
Kanu is a native of Abia State, southeast Nigeria, [ 84 ] [ 85 ] and a penis of the Aro sub-group of the Igbo heathen group. [ 86 ] Nwankwo means “ Child bear on Nkwo market day ” in the Igbo linguistic process. [ 87 ] Kanu ‘s younger buddy, Christopher, was besides a football player, who played as a defender ; [ 88 ] he besides has another younger brother, Ogbonna. [ 89 ] Kanu is a christian. [ 63 ] Kanu was born with a congenital center defect, which impeded his aortal valve from closing properly ; it was discovered and operated on in 1996. Although it was feared that he would not play again, and that it would affect his career, he made a fully recovery. [ 63 ] [ 82 ] He undergoes an annual medical check-up for the condition. In March 2014, he successfully undergo corrective heart operating room once again, in the United States. [ 89 ]
philanthropy [edit ]
Kanu ‘s own have with a congenital heart defect moved him to set up the “ Kanu Heart Foundation ” in 2000, a foundation which aims to tackle homelessness, and which besides built five hospitals in Africa to treat children with undiagnosed center disease and provide them surgery. [ 20 ] [ 89 ] [ 90 ] [ 91 ]
career statistics [edit ]
clubhouse [edit ]
International [edit ]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | 1994 | 3 | 0 |
| 1995 | 2 | 1 | |
| 1997 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1998 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2000 | 10 | 1 | |
| 2001 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2002 | 11 | 0 | |
| 2003 | 4 | 3 | |
| 2004 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2005 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2006 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2007 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2008 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 86 | 12 | |
- Scores and results list Nigeria’s goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Kanu goal.[ citation needed]
Honours [edit ]
Iwuanyanwu Nationale
Ajax
Inter Milan
Arsenal
Portsmouth
Nigeria U17
Nigeria U23
Nigeria
Individual
References [edit ]
further read [edit ]
- Rich, Jeremy (30 September 2015), “Kanu, Nwankwo”, African American Studies Center, Oxford University Press, doi:10.1093/acref/9780195301731.013.72855, ISBN 978-0-19-530173-1
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