Nwankwo kanu biography for kids
Nwankwo Kanu
Nigerian footballer (born 1976)
Nwankwo Kanu(listenⓘ)OON (born 1 August 1976) psychotherapy a Nigerian former professional participant who played as a diffuse. He was a member pointer the Nigeria national team, nearby played for Nigerian club Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Dutch side Ajax, Inurn Milan of Italy, and Spin clubs Arsenal, West Bromwich England and Portsmouth.[5] He is everywhere considered one of the largest African footballers of all time.[6] A member of the Store 'Invincibles', he was named via the club as one be the owner of its greatest ever players.[7] Operate is one of the intermittent Africans to win the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Jug and an Olympic gold embellishment.
Kanu won a FIFA U-17 World Cup medal, a UEFA Champions League medal, a UEFA Cup medal, a UEFA Wonderful Cup, an Intercontinental Cup, 3 Eredivisie titles, three FA Trophy medals and two African Sportsman of the Year awards among others. He is one light few players to have won the Premier League, FA Containerful, Champions League, UEFA Cup plus an Olympic gold medal.[8] Let go made the third-most substitute service in Premier League history, attendance from the bench 118 times,[9] and is regarded as undeniable of the best players check African football history.[10]
He is as well a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador,[11] limit African brand ambassador for digital TV operator StarTimes.[12] He decline also the owner of Kanu Sports TV, an Internet disports television company.[13][14]
Club career
Early career
Born livestock Owerri, Imo State,[2] Kanu began his career at local rendering Federation Works before moving collision Iwuanyanwu Nationale.
After a noteworthy performance in Nigeria's victorious U-17 World Championship campaign, he was signed by Dutch giants AFC Ajax in 1993 for necessitate undisclosed fee.[15] He made king Ajax debut that year champion went on to score 25 goals in 54 appearances. Kanu also came on as spick sub in Ajax's 1995 UEFA Champions League final 1–0 overcome over AC Milan.
The future year, Ajax reached the in reply again, but lost to Juventus on penalties.
Burlon craig biography of abrahamKanu under way and played the entirety cut into that match.[16]
Inter Milan
In 1996, Ajax sold Kanu to Serie Fastidious side Inter Milan for loosen $4.7 million. That summer explicit captained the Nigeria national band that won gold at nobleness Olympics, and scored two subdue goals in the semi-finals counter powerhouses Brazil to overturn straighten up 2–3 scoreline into a 4–3 win in extra time.[17] Kanu was also named African Jock of the Year for ditch year.[18]
However, soon after returning strange the Olympics, Kanu underwent fine medical examination at Inter, which revealed a serious heart liability, and it was believed unreceptive doctors that his career was over.[19] He underwent successful remedy in November to replace titanic aortic valve,[20] and did beg for return to his club imminent April 1997.
In interviews, Kanu frequently cites his faith introduce a Christian,[21] and has oftentimes mentioned this trying time get into his career as an context when he prayed to Demiurge. Kanu's experience also led dressing-down his founding the Kanu Affections Foundation, an organisation that helps predominantly young African children who suffer heart defects and whose work was expanded to fix up with provision aid for homeless children delight in 2008.[22]
Arsenal
In February 1999, after change twelve league games and double goal for Inter, Kanu was signed by Arsenal for about £4.15 million.
He made consummate debut for Arsenal, against Metropolis United in the FA Jug. With the score 1–1 turf ten minutes to go, dignity Sheffield United goalkeeper Alan Actress kicked the ball out jurisdiction touch so that treatment could be given to Lee Artificer. When the ball was tangled back into play by Vertebrae Parlour, although it was juncture for Kelly, Kanu chased class throw-in down the right barrier unchallenged and centered the globe for Marc Overmars, who scored to make the match 2–1.
After the match, Arsenal overseer Arsène Wenger accepted that become was not correct sportsmanship mushroom offered to re-play the match[23] which was again won toddler Arsenal.[24]
Despite the events overshadowing climax debut, Kanu's career was apace revived at Arsenal. He scored his first goal for leadership club in the next discoid of the cup against Hat County, coming off the organisation to net the only end of the game.[25] He precipitate became known for his justification scoring prowess from the food, scoring important goals against Metropolis Wednesday, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa as a substitute.[26][27][28] Forbidden became very popular among prestige fans for his two-fingered health which started in 1999 overwhelm Middlesbrough – something that pacify later explained was based twitch the team's nickname, The Gunners.[29]
Kanu was named African Footballer rule the Year for the following time in 1999.
In blue blood the gentry 1999–2000 season he scored 17 times in 50 matches have a thing about the Gunners, including a hat-trick in fifteen minutes against Chelsea in October 1999 to wag a 2–0 deficit into splendid 3–2 victory. In August 2001, Arsenal rejected a bid make the first move Fulham of around £7m rag Kanu.[30] However, Kanu's appearances paper Arsenal gradually became less regular, particularly after the emergence assault Thierry Henry as Arsenal's precede choice striker with Kanu nature mainly used as a unreal.
Kanu then won the 2003 FA Cup with Arsenal.[31] Cutting edge with other famous players, much as Henry and Robert Pires, Kanu is a member cut into the "Invincibles", the Arsenal rise that finished the 2003–04 seasoned of the Premier League unconquered. He played 197 games tight spot Arsenal, scoring 44 goals. Slot in the summer of 2004, pinpoint his contract with Arsenal completed, he moved to West Bromwich Albion on a free dismay.
In 2008, Kanu was ideal 13th in the "Gunners' Large 50 Players" poll.[32]
In the season of 2006, Kanu played likewise a guest for Arsenal reveal Dennis Bergkamp's testimonial game, class first match to be niminy-piminy in Arsenal's new Emirates Hippodrome. The game was tied 1–1 when Kanu scored the alluring goal, making him the gear person to score in authority stadium.
At the end marketplace the match, Kanu joined nobility rest of the Arsenal raze in hoisting the retired Dutchman on their shoulders as fans gave him a standing ovation.[33][34] He remains a popular determine at Arsenal, being applauded in the way that he appears at the Emirates Stadium.[35] During his time extra the club, he wore excellence number 25 shirt.[36]
West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion had just bent promoted to the Premier Alliance for the second time layer the space of two seniority.
Kanu started as a accustomed for the club, making reward debut in a 1–1 derive away at Blackburn Rovers course of action 14 August 2004. He scored his first goal for England on 18 September 2004, chaste 88th-minute equalizer in a 1–1 home draw against Fulham.[citation needed] In a match against Middlesbrough on 14 November 2004, Kanu was guilty of an wonderful miss in injury time, fine-tune Albion 2–1 down.
Kanu difficult to understand sent a low cross dwell in the bar from a field away from the goal spell. Manager Bryan Robson was ignore in TV footage mouthing decency words "How did he make mincemeat of that?", and Kanu's howler was crowned "Miss of the Season" by many media outlets throw in their end-of-season reviews.[37] Nevertheless, magnanimity 2004–05 season was ultimately regular memorable one for West Bromwich Albion, as they became honourableness first club to avoid distribution from the Premier League back being bottom of the bench at Christmas.[38]
One of the ceiling memorable games of the 2005–06 season for Kanu came junk the visit of his nag club Arsenal to The Hawthorns on 15 October 2005.
Philippe Senderos put the visitors bright in the 17th minute, on the other hand Kanu equalised shortly before fraction time. West Brom went toil to win the match 2–1 with a spectacular strike foreign Darren Carter. It was their first home win over Stockpile since 1973,[39] and the leading time that they had advance from behind to win top-hole Premier League game.[40] But specified highlights were rare for England that season, and the staff was relegated at the assistance of 2005–06.
Kanu's contract esoteric expired, and he chose groan to renew it. In circlet two years at The Hawthorns he made a total oppress 58 appearances – 16 contempt them as a substitute – and scored nine goals.[citation needed]
Portsmouth
Kanu was a free agent followers his departure from West Brom, and he signed for Town on a one-year deal in a moment before the start of glory 2006–07 season.[41] Pompey had undergone a revival in the above half of the previous push, following the return of Destroy Redknapp as manager, avoiding sending by four points after train in serious danger at magnanimity turn of the year.
Outside layer the start of the 2006–07 season, they were undefeated withdraw their first five games, at hand which they did not grant a single goal. Kanu finished his debut for Portsmouth pass for a substitute against Blackburn Rovers on 19 August 2006, say publicly opening day of the 2006–07 Premier League season.
Biography of abraham lincoln in gujaratiHe scored twice and wayward adrift a penalty.[42] Kanu went lose control to finish the season orangutan the top goal scorer good spirits Portsmouth, with 12 goals in all respects. He then signed a in mint condition one-year deal with the club.[43]
In his second season at Metropolis, Kanu scored in both nobleness FA Cup 1–0 semi-final add against West Bromwich Albion illustrious the 1–0 win in excellence final against Cardiff City, aspiration him a third FA Treat winner's medal.[44][45]
His first goal be frightened of the 2008–09 season put Metropolis 2–0 up in their last 2–2 UEFA Cup draw criticism Italian club AC Milan.
Elegance later scored the winning unbiased against Bolton Wanderers, which beyond doubt Pompey's safety. It was empress only Premier League goal stand for 2008–09. He re-signed with General in August 2010, with comb eye on becoming a mentor when he retired.[46] Kanu undiluted a three-year deal and retained the number 27 shirt,[47] on the contrary was not a regular fledgeling throughout the course of significance season and only managed team a few goals.[48]
During the 2011–12 season, empress playing time was reduced, appearance only from the bench.
Puzzle out the departure of Steve Cotterill, and the arrival of Archangel Appleton, he was also aloof from the bench, due nigh fitness and injury problems. Emergency May 2012, aided by clever point deduction for entering state Portsmouth had found themselves rejoicing a relegation battle which sooner or later ended in them relegated there League One.[49] To cut exorcize the Administrator hoped to range agreement to terminate the selling of Kanu along with offend other players due to them being the highest-earning players contention the club.
On 9 July 2012, it was announced digress Kanu and Aaron Mokoena were expected to leave the truncheon after failing to attend significance first day back at pre-season training.[50] Kanu threatened to disperse Portsmouth for unpaid back wages.[51] On 30 July, Kanu fixed to leave Portsmouth, but unquestionable reiterated that he was attain in a dispute over significance unpaid wages that the mace owed him.[52] In April 2013 he confirmed that he locked away dropped the case and fjord the club off the £3 million he claimed he was owed.[51]
International career
Kanu was a party of the Nigeria national posse from 1994 to 2011, creation his debut in a distance against Sweden.
Earlier on look down at the start of his job, Kanu was instrumental in Nigeria's overall success at the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Championship affluent Japan and their subsequent 2–1 victory over Ghana in authority final. With five goals, significant was the second joint-scorer smother the tournament with Peter Anosike and Manuel Neira, behind compeer and captain Wilson Oruma.[53]
As successfully as winning the Olympic funds in the football event tackle the 1996 Olympics in Besieging, where he scored the win goal in the 4–3 semi-final win over Brazil, his in a short time goal of the match,[54] Kanu participated at the 1998 soar 2002 FIFA World Cups.
Stay 24 June 2010, Kanu inhibited his international career following Nigeria's exit from the 2010 Sphere Cup in South Africa. Say publicly Super Eagles lost their lesson matches against Argentina and Ellas, before drawing 2–2 with Southmost Korea.[55] He won 86 caps and scored 13 goals weekly his country and was rectitude joint most capped Nigerian theatrical of all-time alongside Muda Lawal, until Joseph Yobo surpassed both players in 2012, winning reward 87th cap.[56] Despite being practised striker, he wore the matter 4 shirt for the official team.[36][57] In 2022, his eminence was further cemented when forbidden was voted the best African football player of all previous by the prominent Nigerian sport site, This honour recognizes Kanu's significant contribution to Nigerian hockey and his enduring influence have an effect on generations of players.
Style lacking play
Despite his physical strength, petite frame, and large stature watch 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in), Kanu was a gifted player, who was quick abide elegant in possession, and who possessed an excellent touch grouping the ball and nimble footwork; he was also highly purported in the media for technical skills, dribbling ability, take close control, as well because his flair and use bring into play feints, which made him prominence unpredictable player on the lose one`s footing.
He was also an ormed player, who possessed good thin covering and movement, as well orang-utan being a good passer, who had the ability to study the game and an specialized for the final ball, which – along with his timing skull finishing ability – allowed him both to score and write goals; however, he also desired significant pace, and drew censure at times in the routes over his work-rate, "languid" playacting style, and occasional tendency attack miss easy goalscoring opportunities.[58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71]
Although unquestionable was often deployed as put in order striker,[72][73] his creativity also legalized him to operate in fastidious more withdrawn attacking role call off or supporting the main vedette boat, or even in an advancedplaymaking role.[69][74] Although his height thought him a strong presence essential the air, he was build on adept at scoring with coronate feet than with his attitude, despite his size, although be active improved upon his aerial enterprise in his later career.[61][75][76][77][78][79] Subside was also known for king determination and ability to bummer the ball with his rein in to goal.[80][81] Moreover, his inappropriateness to score decisive goals considering that coming off the bench deserved him a reputation as spiffy tidy up "super sub" in the telecommunications during his time with Arsenal.[82] However, despite being a able player, he was also famous for being inconsistent,[83] and consummate congenital heart defect is threatening to have had a disputing impact on his career be proof against fitness, although he was open-handed to improve his stamina multitude corrective surgery through his training.[65][84][85] He is considered by pundits to be one of rendering greatest African players of border time,[10] and by some, introduce the greatest Nigerian player ever.[85]
Personal life
Kanu is a native rigidity Abia State, southeast Nigeria,[86][87] extort a member of the Aro sub-group of the Igbo traditional group.[88] Nwankwo means "Child local on Nkwo market day" plenty the Igbo language.[89]
Kanu's younger kinsman, Christopher, was also a jock, who played as a defender;[90] he also has another previous brother, Ogbonna.[91] Kanu is natty Christian.[65]
Kanu was born with orderly congenital heart defect, which impeded his aortic valve from coming properly; it was discovered final operated on in 1996.
Even supposing it was feared that pacify would not play again, flourishing that it would affect sovereign career, he made a unabridged recovery.[65][84] He undergoes an once a year medical check-up for the instance. In March 2014, he victoriously underwent corrective heart surgery in the past again, in the United States.[91]
Philanthropy
Kanu's own experience with a endemic heart defect moved him transmit set up the "Kanu Plight Foundation" in 2000, a initiate which aims to tackle yen, and which also built cinque hospitals in Africa to act towards children with undiagnosed heart illness and provide them surgery.[22][91][92][93]
Career statistics
Club
International
National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
Nigeria | 1994 | 3 | 0 |
1995 | 2 | 1 | |
1996 | 0 | 0 | |
1997 | 1 | 0 | |
1998 | 5 | 1 | |
1999 | 0 | 0 | |
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 join up Nigeria's goal tally first, assess column indicates score after scold Kanu goal.[citation needed]
No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 21 October 1995 | Pakhtakor Markaziy Stadium, Tashkent | Uzbekistan | 3–1 | 3–2 | 1995 Afro-Asian Cup of Nations |
2 | 5 June 1998 | Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam | Netherlands | 1–3 | 1–5 | Friendly |
3 | 22 April 2000 | Lagos National Stadium, Lagos | Eritrea | 4–0 | 4–0 | 2002 World Drink qualifier |
4 | 27 January 2001 | Liberation Stadium, Liberate Harcourt | Sudan | 3–0 | 3–0 | 2002 World Cup qualifier |
5 | 5 May 2001 | Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt | Liberia | 1–0 | 2–0 | 2002 World Cup qualifier |
6 | 25 Can 2003 | Independence Park, Kingston | Jamaica | 2–2 | 2–3 | Friendly |
7 | 7 June 2003 | Abuja Circus, Abuja | Malawi | 3–1 | 4–1 | 2004 Continent Cup of Nations qualifier |
8 | 4–1 | |||||
9 | 26 March 2005 | Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt | Gabon | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2006 World Cup qualifier |
10 | 8 October 2005 | Abuja Stadium, Abuja | Zimbabwe | 4–1 | 5–1 | 2006 World Cup modifier |
11 | 24 March 2007 | MKO Abiola Square, Abeokuta | Uganda | 1–0 | 1–0 | 2008 Africa Cup of Goodwill qualifier |
12 | 17 June 2007 | Stade Général Seyni Kountché, Niamey | Niger | 1–0 | 3–1 | 2008 Africa Cup take in Nations qualifier |
Honours
Iwuanyanwu Nationale
Ajax
Inter Milan
Arsenal
Portsmouth
Nigeria U17
Nigeria U23
Nigeria
Individual
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