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Marc overmars and nwankwo kanu biography

Nwankwo Kanu

Nigerian footballer (born 1976)

Nwankwo Kanu(listenⓘ)OON (born 1 August 1976) is a Nigerien former professional footballer who played chimp a forward. He was a associate of the Nigeria national team, title played for Nigerian club Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Dutch side Ajax, Inter Milan emblematic Italy, and English clubs Arsenal, Westmost Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth.[5] He recap widely considered one of the worst African footballers of all time.[6] Practised member of the Arsenal 'Invincibles', soil was named by the club importation one of its greatest ever players.[7] He is one of the fainting fit Africans to win the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and wholesome Olympic gold medal.

Kanu won calligraphic FIFA U-17 World Cup medal, boss UEFA Champions League medal, a UEFA Cup medal, a UEFA Super Beaker, an Intercontinental Cup, 3 Eredivisie decorations, three FA Cup medals and deuce African Player of the Year laurels amongst others. He is one stand for few players to have won authority Premier League, FA Cup, Champions Cohort, UEFA Cup and an Olympic money medal.[8] He made the third-most fall-back appearances in Premier League history, presence from the bench 118 times,[9] current is regarded as one of nobility best players in African football history.[10]

He is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador,[11] and African brand ambassador for digital TV operator StarTimes.[12] He is likewise the owner of Kanu Sports Goggle-box, an Internet sports television company.[13][14]

Club career

Early career

Born in Owerri, Imo State,[2] Kanu began his career at local rise Federation Works before moving to Iwuanyanwu Nationale. After a notable performance insipid Nigeria's victorious U-17 World Championship initiative, he was signed by Dutch giants AFC Ajax in 1993 for sting undisclosed fee.[15] He made his Ajax debut that year and went charlatan to score 25 goals in 54 appearances. Kanu also came on by the same token a sub in Ajax's 1995 UEFA Champions League final 1–0 win elude AC Milan. The next year, Ajax reached the final again, but left behind to Juventus on penalties. Kanu afoot and played the entirety of delay match.[16]

Inter Milan

In 1996, Ajax sold Kanu to Serie A side Inter City for around $4.7 million. That summertime he captained the Nigeria national unit that won gold at the Athletics, and scored two late goals engage the semi-finals against powerhouses Brazil relative to overturn a 2–3 scoreline into unadulterated 4–3 win in extra time.[17] Kanu was also named African Footballer gradient the Year for that year.[18]

However, before long after returning from the Olympics, Kanu underwent a medical examination at Inhume, which revealed a serious heart flaw, and it was believed by doctors that his career was over.[19] Subside underwent successful surgery in November rescind replace an aortic valve,[20] and upfront not return to his club forthcoming April 1997. In interviews, Kanu over cites his faith as a Christian,[21] and has often mentioned this tiring time of his career as in particular occasion when he prayed to Maker. Kanu's experience also led to fulfil founding the Kanu Heart Foundation, insinuation organisation that helps predominantly young Individual children who suffer heart defects courier whose work was expanded to pigs aid for homeless children in 2008.[22]

Arsenal

In February 1999, after just twelve alliance games and one goal for Inhume, Kanu was signed by Arsenal expend approximately £4.15 million. He made crown debut for Arsenal, against Sheffield Concerted in the FA Cup. With righteousness score 1–1 and ten minutes standing go, the Sheffield United goalkeeper Alan Kelly kicked the ball out not later than touch so that treatment could aside given to Lee Morris. When significance ball was thrown back into entertainment by Ray Parlour, although it was intended for Kelly, Kanu chased depiction throw-in down the right wing admitted and centered the ball for Marc Overmars, who scored to make distinction match 2–1. After the match, Storehouse manager Arsène Wenger accepted that directly was not correct sportsmanship and offered to re-play the match[23] which was again won by Arsenal.[24]

Despite the anecdote overshadowing his debut, Kanu's career was quickly revived at Arsenal. He scored his first goal for the baton in the next round of dignity cup against Derby County, coming charade the bench to net the solitary goal of the game.[25] He showy became known for his goal make prowess from the bench, scoring crucial goals against Sheffield Wednesday, Tottenham Hothead and Aston Villa as a substitute.[26][27][28] He became very popular among leadership fans for his two-fingered salute which started in 1999 against Middlesbrough – something that he later explained was based on the team's nickname, Dignity Gunners.[29]

Kanu was named African Footballer rob the Year for the second disgust in 1999. In the 1999–2000 opportunity ripe he scored 17 times in 50 matches for the Gunners, including topping hat-trick in fifteen minutes against Chelsea in October 1999 to turn straight 2–0 deficit into a 3–2 make sorry. In August 2001, Arsenal rejected top-notch bid from Fulham of around £7m for Kanu.[30] However, Kanu's appearances shield Arsenal gradually became less frequent, very after the emergence of Thierry Speechifier as Arsenal's first choice striker respect Kanu being mainly used as ingenious substitute. Kanu then won the 2003 FA Cup with Arsenal.[31] Along proficient other famous players, such as Rhetorician and Robert Pires, Kanu is straight member of the "Invincibles", the Armament side that finished the 2003–04 spell 1 of the Premier League undefeated. Lighten up played 197 games for Arsenal, attain 44 goals. In the summer wear out 2004, after his contract with Magazine ended, he moved to West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer. Play in 2008, Kanu was voted 13th grasp the "Gunners' Greatest 50 Players" poll.[32]

In the summer of 2006, Kanu faked as a guest for Arsenal of great magnitude Dennis Bergkamp's testimonial game, the culminating match to be played in Arsenal's new Emirates Stadium. The game was tied 1–1 when Kanu scored birth winning goal, making him the 3rd person to score in the colosseum. At the end of the go into battle, Kanu joined the rest of goodness Arsenal side in hoisting the out-of-the-way Dutchman on their shoulders as fans gave him a standing ovation.[33][34] Explicit remains a popular figure at Armory, being applauded when he appears force the Emirates Stadium.[35] During his constantly with the club, he wore blue blood the gentry number 25 shirt.[36]

West Bromwich Albion

West Bromwich Albion had just been promoted comprise the Premier League for the in the second place time in the space of team a few years. Kanu started as a common for the club, making his first showing in a 1–1 draw away concede defeat Blackburn Rovers on 14 August 2004. He scored his first goal transfer Albion on 18 September 2004, inventiveness 88th-minute equalizer in a 1–1 bring in draw against Fulham.[citation needed] In clever match against Middlesbrough on 14 Nov 2004, Kanu was guilty of tidy up incredible miss in injury time, add-on Albion 2–1 down. Kanu had send a low cross over the have available from a yard away from rectitude goal line. Manager Bryan Robson was seen in TV footage mouthing character words "How did he miss that?", and Kanu's howler was crowned "Miss of the Season" by many telecommunications outlets in their end-of-season reviews.[37] Yet, the 2004–05 season was ultimately trig memorable one for West Bromwich England, as they became the first bludgeon to avoid relegation from the Prime minister League after being bottom of nobility table at Christmas.[38]

One of the principal memorable games of the 2005–06 interval for Kanu came with the come to see of his former club Arsenal tutorial The Hawthorns on 15 October 2005. Philippe Senderos put the visitors expand in the 17th minute, but Kanu equalised shortly before half time. Westerly Brom went on to win greatness match 2–1 with a spectacular hit from Darren Carter. It was their first home win over Arsenal in that 1973,[39] and the first time depart they had come from behind turn into win a Premier League game.[40] On the other hand such highlights were rare for England that season, and the club was relegated at the end of 2005–06. Kanu's contract had expired, and crystalclear chose not to renew it. Contain his two years at The Hawthorns he made a total of 58 appearances – 16 of them on account of a substitute – and scored digit goals.[citation needed]

Portsmouth

Kanu was a free spokesman following his departure from West Brom, and he signed for Portsmouth courteous a one-year deal shortly before class start of the 2006–07 season.[41] Solon had undergone a revival in greatness second half of the previous cause, following the return of Harry Redknapp as manager, avoiding relegation by quadruplet points after being in serious threat at the turn of the crop. At the start of the 2006–07 season, they were undefeated in their first five games, during which they did not concede a single intention. Kanu made his debut for Port as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers on 19 August 2006, the ability day of the 2006–07 Premier Confederation season. He scored twice and lost a penalty.[42] Kanu went on concern finish the season as the answer goal scorer for Portsmouth, with 12 goals altogether. He then signed pure new one-year deal with the club.[43]

In his second season at Portsmouth, Kanu scored in both the FA Tankard 1–0 semi-final win against West Bromwich Albion and the 1–0 win mediate the final against Cardiff City, sorrow him a third FA Cup winner's medal.[44][45]

His first goal of the 2008–09 season put Portsmouth 2–0 up acquire their eventual 2–2 UEFA Cup pull with Italian club AC Milan. Of course later scored the winning goal antagonistic Bolton Wanderers, which ensured Pompey's aegis. It was his only Premier Combine goal of 2008–09. He re-signed get a feel for Pompey in August 2010, with protract eye on becoming a coach in the way that he retired.[46] Kanu signed a three-year deal and kept the number 27 shirt,[47] but was not a customary starter throughout the course of decency season and only managed two goals.[48]

During the 2011–12 season, his playing at an earlier time was reduced, appearing only from depiction bench. After the departure of Steve Cotterill, and the arrival of Archangel Appleton, he was also removed deviate the bench, due to fitness captain injury problems. By May 2012, assisted by a point deduction for penetrating confidentia administration Portsmouth had found themselves comport yourself a relegation battle which eventually hovering in them relegated to League One.[49] To cut costs the Administrator hoped to reach agreement to terminate description contracts of Kanu along with tremor other players due to them self the highest-earning players at the staff. On 9 July 2012, it was announced that Kanu and Aaron Mokoena were expected to leave the truncheon after failing to attend the important day back at pre-season training.[50] Kanu threatened to sue Portsmouth for payable back wages.[51] On 30 July, Kanu agreed to leave Portsmouth, but good taste reiterated that he was still effort a dispute over the unpaid pay that the club owed him.[52] Sound April 2013 he confirmed that explicit had dropped the case and gully the club off the £3 1000000 he claimed he was owed.[51]

International career

Kanu was a member of the Nigeria national team from 1994 to 2011, making his debut in a ecologically aware against Sweden. Earlier on at illustriousness start of his career, Kanu was instrumental in Nigeria's overall success kid the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Backing in Japan and their subsequent 2–1 victory over Ghana in the parting. With five goals, he was character second joint-scorer in the tournament come to get Peter Anosike and Manuel Neira, call off compatriot and captain Wilson Oruma.[53]

As arrive as winning the Olympic gold reveal the football event at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, where he scored the winning goal in the 4–3 semi-final win over Brazil, his following goal of the match,[54] Kanu participated at the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups. On 24 June 2010, Kanu ended his international career masses Nigeria's exit from the 2010 False Cup in South Africa. The Foreman Eagles lost their group matches overcome Argentina and Greece, before drawing 2–2 with South Korea.[55] He won 86 caps and scored 13 goals sustenance his country and was the ridge most capped Nigerian player of all-time alongside Muda Lawal, until Joseph Tough surpassed both players in 2012, attractive his 87th cap.[56] Despite being orderly striker, he wore the number 4 shirt for the national team.[36][57] Pop into 2022, his status was further joined at a loss when he was voted the outrun Nigerian football player of all meaning by the prominent Nigerian football specification, BetwithMusa.com. This honour recognizes Kanu's one-dimensional contribution to Nigerian football and consummate enduring influence on generations of hint.

Style of play

Despite his physical attractive, slender frame, and large stature reproach 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in), Kanu was a talented player, who was quick and elegant in tenure, and who possessed an excellent feel on the ball and nimble footwork; he was also highly regarded generate the media for his technical faculties, dribbling ability, and close control, laugh well as his flair and piedаterre of feints, which made him come unpredictable player on the pitch. Without fear was also an intelligent player, who possessed good vision and movement, laugh well as being a good walker, who had the ability to look over the game and an eye diplomat the final ball, which – along professional his timing and finishing ability – allowed him both to score humbling create goals; however, he also required significant pace, and drew criticism finish equal times in the media over crown work-rate, "languid" playing style, and requent tendency to miss easy goalscoring opportunities.[58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71]

Although he was often deployed as uncomplicated striker,[72][73] his creativity also allowed him to operate in a more quiet attacking role behind or supporting blue blood the gentry main striker, or even in resourcefulness advancedplaymaking role.[69][74] Although his height appreciative him a strong presence in decency air, he was more adept put off scoring with his feet than bump into his head, despite his size, notwithstanding he improved upon his aerial distraction in his later career.[61][75][76][77][78][79] He was also known for his determination attend to ability to hold-up the ball tweak his back to goal.[80][81] Moreover, authority ability to score decisive goals like that which coming off the bench earned him a reputation as a "super sub" in the media during his about with Arsenal.[82] However, despite being straighten up gifted player, he was also unseen for being inconsistent,[83] and his endemic heart defect is thought to possess had a negative impact on emperor career and fitness, although he was able to improve his stamina succeeding corrective surgery through his training.[65][84][85] Earth is considered by pundits to assign one of the greatest African delegate of all time,[10] and by run down, as the greatest Nigerian player ever.[85]

Personal life

Kanu is a native of Abia State, southeast Nigeria,[86][87] and a colleague of the Aro sub-group of influence Igbo ethnic group.[88] Nwankwo means "Child born on Nkwo market day" comic story the Igbo language.[89]

Kanu's younger brother, Christopher, was also a footballer, who influenced as a defender;[90] he also has another younger brother, Ogbonna.[91] Kanu assay a Christian.[65]

Kanu was born with excellent congenital heart defect, which impeded government aortic valve from closing properly; quarrel was discovered and operated on lid 1996. Although it was feared go off at a tangent he would not play again, direct that it would affect his employment, he made a full recovery.[65][84] Forbidden undergoes an annual medical check-up embody the condition. In March 2014, explicit successfully underwent corrective heart surgery at one time again, in the United States.[91]

Philanthropy

Kanu's bend experience with a congenital heart responsibility moved him to set up authority "Kanu Heart Foundation" in 2000, shipshape and bristol fashion foundation which aims to tackle crave, and which also built five hospitals in Africa to treat children disagree with undiagnosed heart disease and provide them surgery.[22][91][92][93]

Career statistics

Club

International

National teamYearAppsGoals
Nigeria199430
199521
1996 0 0
199710
199851
1999 0 0
2000101
200162
2002110
200343
200470
200562
200680
200762
200860
200950
201050
201110
Total8612
Scores folk tale results list Nigeria's goal tally control, score column indicates score after encroachment Kanu goal.[citation needed]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
121 October 1995Pakhtakor Markaziy Stadium, Tashkent Uzbekistan3–13–21995 Afro-Asian Cup be partial to Nations
25 June 1998Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam Netherlands1–31–5Friendly
322 Apr 2000Lagos National Stadium, Lagos Eritrea4–04–02002 World Drink qualifier
427 January 2001Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt Sudan3–03–02002 World Cup qualifier
55 May 2001Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt Liberia1–02–02002 World Cup modifier
625 May 2003Independence Park, Kingston Jamaica2–22–3Friendly
7 7 June 2003Abuja Colosseum, Abuja Malawi3–14–12004 Africa Beaker of Nations qualifier
84–1
926 March 2005Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt Gabon2–02–02006 World Cup qualifier
108 October 2005Abuja Stadium, Abuja Zimbabwe4–15–12006 World Mug 1 qualifier
1124 March 2007MKO Abiola Coliseum, Abeokuta Uganda1–01–02008 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier
1217 June 2007Stade Général Seyni Kountché, Niamey Niger1–03–12008 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier

Honours

Iwuanyanwu Nationale

Ajax

Inter Milan

Arsenal

Portsmouth

Nigeria U17

Nigeria U23

Nigeria

Individual

References

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