Kanu celebrates 39th birthday

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QEDNG
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Nwankwo Kanu

KanuNigeria football legend, Kanu Nwankwo, otherwise known as ‘Papilo’ is celebrating turning 39. Popular legend says the former Arsenal and Inter Milan striker was born on August 1, 1976 in Owerri, South East, Nigeria.

His one wish is that those who love and admire him keep supporting his charity organisation, Kanu Heart Foundation

Kanu started his senior playing career with hometown club, Iwuanyanwu Nationale (now known as Heartland FC), in 1992 where he notched 15 goals in 25 appearances.

At just 16, his goal scoring prowess was noticed by the country’s U-17 handlers, with the youngster leading the country to glory at the 1992 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Japan.

He went on to captain Nigeria to the gold medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta putting up impressive performances.

Celebrated as the country’s most decorated footballer, Papilo won one Uefa Champions League, one Uefa Cup, three Dutch League, two Premier League, three FA Cup, One Community Shield and one Nigerian League medal.

The two-time African Football of the Year featured for European giants Ajax and Inter Milan. He also kitted for Portsmouth and West Brom in the English premier league.

But it was at Arsenal that he received the most accolades. Fans of the North London club will always cherish his hat-trick in fifteen minutes against Chelsea to turn a 2–0 deficit to a 3–2 victory in a Premier League match at Stamford Bridge on October 23, 1999. Countryman, Celestine Babayaro, was in the Blues squad that left the pitch with eggs on their faces that day.

Capped 86 times by Nigeria, Kanu was part of the Nigerian team to the 1998 and 2002 World Cup in France and Japan/Korea respectively.

With just the Nations Cup eluding his fully-stocked trophy cabinet, Kanu retired from international football on June 24, 2010 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 draw with South Korea ended their stay in the tournament.

The former Nigeria skipper founded the Kanu Heart Foundation, an organisation that helps predominately young African children who suffer heart defects after battling with the same illness during his playing career.

Kanu made the third-most substitute appearances in Premier League history, appearing from the bench 118 times. Ranked 13 out of 50 Arsenal greatest players, he is also a UNICEF ambassador.