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Nwankwo Kanu, OON, is a renowned football legend and businessman from Nigeria, born on the auspicious day of August 1, 1976. His career achievements are remarkable, having won numerous awards during his illustrious playing days.
He has a Champions League medal, a UEFA Cup medal, three FA Cups, two African Player of the Year awards and an Olympic Gold Medal. Notably, he is one of the few players in history to have won the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, UEFA Cup and an Olympic Gold Medal.
Nwankwo Kanu’s Premier League substitute appearances total is 118, a tally that puts him third on the all-time list. His skill and talent are evident in the fact that he is considered one of the greatest African footballers of all time.
Apart from his football career, Nwankwo Kanu is also a respected humanitarian. He is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and uses his influence to support various initiatives that benefit children and families in Nigeria and across Africa. Furthermore, he is the African ambassador for StarTimes, a digital television operator and the proud owner of Kanu Sports TV. His impact on the game of football and his contributions to society make him an inspiration to many.
Former Nigerian footballer
Nwankwo Kanu |
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 Nwankwo Kanu: History ‧ Bio ‧ Photos |
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| Wiki Events & About Data | |
| First and last name: | Nwankwo Kanu |
| Stage Name: | papilo |
| Born: | August 1, 1976 (age 48) |
| Place of birth: | Owerri, Imo, Nigeria |
| State of origin: | Imo State |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Height: | 1.97 minutes |
| Parents: | Iheme Kanu, Susan Kanu Iheme |
| Siblings: | Christopher Kanu, Ogbonna Kanu, Anderson Kanu, Henry Kanu |
| Couple: | Amarachi Kanu (married 2004) |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | Do not have |
| Children: | Sean Chukwudi Kanu, Pinky Amarachi Kanu, Iyang Onyekachi Kanu |
| Job: | Football player • Businessman |
| Net asset value: | $9 million |
Early life
Nwankwo Kanu, a famous Nigerian footballer, was born on 1 August 1976 in Imo, Owerri, in the Southeastern region of Nigeria. His father, Iheme Kanu, and mother, Susan Kanu Iheme, were both loving and supportive parents. Growing up, he was raised with four brothers, two full brothers, Christopher Kanu and Ogbonna Kanu, and two half-brothers, Anderson Kanu and Henry Kanu, forming a close-knit family.
Sadly, Nwankwo Kanu’s father passed away in 2007 and was buried in their home village of Owerri. Eight years later, his mother passed away and he was buried in the same village as his father. Despite the heartbreaking loss, he remains proud of his roots and remains an active member of the community.
His life took a dramatic turn when he was diagnosed with a heart condition affecting his aortic valve in 1996. The condition threatened his career, but he underwent successful surgery that allowed him to return to the football field. He continues to undergo annual medical evaluations to monitor his condition and in 2014, he underwent another corrective surgery in the United States.
Despite his health challenges, Nwankwo Kanu’s career rose to the top and he achieved great success during his playing days. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest African players of all time, having won a UEFA Cup medal, a Champions League medal, three FA Cups and two African Footballer of the Year awards. He has also been recognised for his charity work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and his efforts as an African ambassador for digital television operator StarTimes.
Personal life
On a beautiful June day in 2004, legendary footballer Kanu Nwankwo officially married his sweetheart Amarachi Kanu, who he entered into the sacred marriage of love with when he was only 18 years old. This gorgeous woman is a multi-talented person, apart from being the partner of the great Nigerian footballer, she is also an outstanding designer, teacher and fitness expert.
A family man, Kanu Nwankwo is proud of his brood of three extraordinary children – Sean Chukwudi Kanu, Pinky Amarachi Kanu and Iyang Onyekachi Kanu. He often shares adorable moments of them on social media, giving fans a glimpse of their loving bond.
The couple has been together for over 16 years and their love seems to be going stronger than ever. Their union is a beautiful sight to behold and an inspiration to many, as they have weathered the storms of life together, standing by each other through the ups and downs.
Career
Nwankwo Kanu, a legend in the world of football, began his illustrious professional football career at Federation Works, a club in the Nigerian league. His exceptional skills and talent attracted the attention of Dutch Eredivisie side AFC Ajax, who signed him for an undisclosed fee in 1993.
He made his Ajax debut that same year, quickly establishing himself as a formidable force on the pitch. He scored an impressive 25 goals in 54 games, leaving fans and fellow players in awe of his talent.
In 1995, Nwankwo Kan played a key role in Ajax’s victory in the UEFA Champions League final against AC Milan, coming on as a substitute and making his mark with his distinctive style of play. A year later, he was part of the team that faced Juventus in the CL final, starting from the start and showing off his great skills on the pitch.
The soccer superstar was sold to Inter Milan for $4.7 million, where he continued to shine. His performances on Nigeria’s gold medal-winning national team at the Olympics, including two crucial goals against Brazil in the semi-finals, secured his place in the history books.
In 1999, Arsenal signed Nwankwo Kan after an impressive spell at Inter Milan. The Nigerian striker made an immediate impact, scoring a vital goal against Sheffield United in the FA Cup, securing a 2-1 win for the Gunners.
In that match, a controversy broke out when Nwankwo Kan chose to continue playing instead of returning the ball to the opposing goalkeeper. Manager Arsene Wenger admitted the error and even suggested a replay, but Arsenal went on to win.
Nwankwo Kan went on to represent his country, playing a key role in Nigeria’s victory at the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Japan. He scored an impressive five goals, establishing himself as one of the tournament’s best players and leaving a lasting legacy in the world of football.
From 1994 to 2010, Nwankwo Kan played for the Nigeria national team, becoming a key player and contributing to their victories. He played a key role in Nigeria’s success at the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Japan, scoring five goals and helping his team to a resounding 2–1 victory over Ghana in the final. He finished tied for second place with Peter Anosike and Manuel Neira in the competition, just one goal behind compatriot and captain Wilson Oruma.
Net asset value
Nwankwo Kanu is a former Nigerian professional footballer and Olympic gold medalist with a hugely successful net worth of $9 million. He is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time and is remembered for his ability to score crucial goals in big matches.
Social Media
- Instagram Name: @Kingkanu4
- Twitter Username: @Papilokanu
