At 38, the most successful Nigerian Footballer lives with vigour and strength.
Born on August 1st, 38 years ago in Owerri, the young man was a vulcaniser’s son who had dreams, though the situation then looked insurmountable, he did not give up on thr hopes he had in himself and the game.
At an early age, he was spotted by the then Iwuanyanwu Nationale – now Heartland FC, which was the pride of Eastern football at that time in Nigeria.
Even the challenges at school did not take away that self thought that he could and would eventually regardless a university education, Kanu later grew to become one person whose kind has not been seen or produced anywhere in the World.
He led the Nigerian Olympic team to the Atlanta 1996 Gold at the expense of the greatest football nations in football then; Brazil and Argentina, a performance that Bebeto looks back to and weeps for his dear loss to the young 20 year-old.
Kanu went ahead to explore greater heights, a survival of a threatening malady, Kanu walked the line of death when he chose between his passion and ‘a-hole-in-the-heart’ problem which could have stopped his playing career.
He has won what no Nigerian player has ever won, he should have been the best thing to come out of Africa save Samuel Eto’o.
Nevertheless, 6ft 5in Nwankwo Kanu is a man worthy of celebration and today we cheer with him as he clocks 38. May he live to enjoy his fulfillments, heritage and achievements; More grease to your elbow Papilo and to your darling wife; Amarachi Nwankwo , you two got the best of each other with your children.
