On this day... Nigerian wonder kid Kanu Birthday

CAIRO – 1 August 2017: On this day 41 years ago, a Nigerian woman gave the world a beautiful gift, a skillful and great football player who would make history for his country. Her first was Nwankwo Kanu and he was born to be one of the best.

Kanu had a tough childhood in Nigeria, but the young Kanu faced all his difficulties with a smile on his face and a football at his feet.

With a career spanning 20 years, Kanu has been a winner since he was child and has many medals to support his greatness at the end of his career.


Kanu won the Nigerian Premier League when he was just 16-years-old, but it was his shining performance at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup where he scored five goals that led his country to the title.

In 1996 while captaining the Nigerian team he led his country to Olympic glory as they defeated Brazil and Argentina to win the Olympic Gold Medal.


Kanu Nwankwo won the U-17 World Cup with Nigeria in Japan 93- FIFA

Kanu has a lot to tell about his story in Europe; he played in the best leagues alongside great players, won precious titles, scored important goals and left great memories inside the hearts football fans.

Kanu played in Dutch League with AFC Ajax where he won every thing; three Dutch League titles, 1995 Champions League title, UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup. Playing in Netherlands under Louis Van Gaal, he had the opportunity to play alongside other young talented players who became football legends like Edgar Davids, Patrick Kluivert, Clarence Seedorf, Marc Overmars and Edwin van der Sar.

In the 1990s he moved to football paradise, Italy, where he played for Internazionale. While his time there wasn’t as good as when in Netherlands, he won the 1998 UEFA Cup alongside Javier Zanetti, Alvaro Recoba, Diego Simeone, Ivan Zamorano and Ronaldo Nazario.


Kanu celebrates a goal with Zamorana and Simeone

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, signed Kanu in 1999 to support his attacking force of Dennis Bergkamp, Davor Suker. Kanu won the Premier League Championship with Arsenal in 2002 and 2004; he also won FA Cup in 2002 and 2003.


Kanu joined Arsenal in 1999 - Arsenal Instagram account

Kanu left Arsenal in 2005, but stayed in England for another seven years, playing two years with West Bromwich Albion and five years with Portsmouth where he won another FA Cup in 2008.


Kanu won FA CUP with Portsmouth - Reuters

Kanu is an African legend, winning the 1996 and 1999 African Footballer of the Year award and BBC African Footballer of the Year award in 1997 and 1999. Despite his heart problems and resultant surgery, he never stopped playing football and enjoying the beautiful game.