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Kanu-by Russ London-

Top 10 Remarquable Facts about Nwankwo Kanu

Nwankwo Kanu OON, a former forward for a professional football team in Nigeria, was born on August 1, 1976. He played for the English clubs Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion, and Portsmouth.

In addition to the Nigerian team Iwuanyanwu Nationale, the Dutch team Ajax, the Italian team Inter Milan, and the Nigerian team Iwuanyanwu Nationale.

Among other honors, Kanu received two African Player of the Year titles, a UEFA Cup medal, a UEFA Champions League medal, and three FA Cup medals.

He is one of the few athletes who have won the Olympic Gold Medal, Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, and UEFA Cup.

He is recognized as one of the greatest players in African football history and made the third-most substitute appearances (118) in Premier League history.

He is also an African brand ambassador for digital TV provider StarTimes and a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Here are 10 remarkable facts about Nwankwo Kanu.

1. Kanu was given the name “Nwankwo,” meaning “born on Nkwo day”

Kanu is an ethnic Igbo from the Abia State region of southeast Nigeria. He belongs to the Aro subgroup of the Igbo people.

 Nwankwo in Igbo means “Child born on Nkwo market day.”

2. He began his professional career at the Nigerian league club Federation Works

1 Nwankwo Kanu 2017-by Chensiyuan-

Kanu began his professional career at the Nigerian league club Federation Works before transferring to Iwuanyanwu Nationale.

 He was signed by Dutch Eredivisie AFC Ajax in 1993 for an undisclosed sum following a standout performance in the U-17 World Championships.

That year, he made his Ajax debut, and over the next 54 games, he scored 25 goals. Kanu was also a substitute in Ajax’s 1995 victory over AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League final.

The next year, he made his debut against Juventus in the 1996 UEFA Champions League Final.

3.  Kanu is regarded as one of the best players in African football history

Kanu was a two-time African Footballer of the Year during the late 1990s, despite the fact that he was one of the best African players to never win the Africa Cup of Nations.

The uniqueness of Kanu’s career makes it noteworthy that his two POTY awards were won before the prime of his playing days, which were spent with Arsenal between 1999 and 2004.

By the time of his first award, the striker had already won three Dutch championships, the Champions League, and the Intercontinental Cup with Ajax. He then won two Premier League titles with Arsenal.

4. He was named the African Footballer of the Year in 1996 and 1999

Kanu was sold by Ajax to Serie A team Inter Milan in 1996 for $4.7 million.

He led the Nigerian national team to the Olympics gold that summer, and in the semi-finals against Brazil.

He scored two goals in injury time to change a 2-3 score into a 4-3 victory after extra time.  Kanu was also named that year’s African Footballer of the Year.

Kanu was named African Footballer of the Year for the second time in 1999.

5. Kanu was ranked among the top 48 footballers of all time by IFFHS in 2016

IFFHS (HD logo)-by IFFHS-

Nwankwo Kanu, a former captain of the Super Eagles, was ranked as the 38th best world football icon in the list of 48 footballers of all time.

This was by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), a group that keeps track of association football’s past achievements.

6. He is the third most capped Super Eagles player of all time

Young people playing basketball at Kanu Nwankwo Sports Center, Owerri, Imo State-by Ptinphusmia-

From 1994 through 2010, Kanu played for the Nigerian national team, making his debut against Sweden in a friendly.

He played a key role in Nigeria’s overall triumph at the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Japan and their ensuing 2-1 victory over Ghana in the final early in his career.

prior to Joseph Yobo surpassing him in 2012 with his 87th cap, Kanu shared the record for most Nigerian caps with Muda Lawal, having earned 86 and scoring 13 goals for his nation.

He played as a striker but represented his country by donning the number 4 jersey.

7. He was owed wages of up to £3 million by Portsmouth from 2006 – 2012

Portsmouth kickoff vs AC Milan-by Ben Hardinge-

Given that Kanu and six other players were the highest-paid players at the club, the administrator intended to come to an agreement to terminate their contracts in order to save costs.

On July 9, 2012, it was revealed that Kanu and Aaron Mokoena would likely be let go from the team for skipping the first day of preseason practice.

Kanu vowed to sue Portsmouth if his back wages weren’t paid. On July 30, Kanu decided to leave Portsmouth, but he reaffirmed that he and the club were still at odds over unpaid pay.

 He said in April 2013 that he had dismissed the lawsuit and released the club from paying him the £3 million he had claimed to be due.

8. Kanu was born with a congenital heart defect

Kanu was born with a congenital heart condition that prevented his aortic valve from shutting normally. The condition was found and treated in 1996.

He achieved a full recovery despite the fact that it was feared he wouldn’t be able to play again and that it would harm his career.  

He has a yearly physical examination for the ailment. He successfully underwent corrective heart surgery once more in the United States in March 2014.

9. He is the founder of the Kanu Heart Foundation

As a result of his own experience with a congenital heart condition, Kanu founded the “Kanu Heart Foundation” in 2000.

This organization wants to end homelessness and established five facilities in Africa to give treatment and surgery to children with undetected heart illnesses.

In 2008, the organization’s mission was broadened to include helping homeless children.

10. He was ranked as the 13th greatest Arsenal player of all time in 2015

Nwankwo Kanu is ranked number thirteen (out of 50) among all-time great Arsenal players.

The Nigerian striker, who has won the African Footballer of the Year award twice, placed 13th out of 50 players in a fan poll on the Arsenal football club website.

He is also an African brand ambassador for digital TV provider StarTimes and a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Additionally, he is the proprietor of the online sports television network Kanu Sports TV.