Nwankwo Kanu facts for kids
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Kanu in a friendly in 2017
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Nwankwo Kanu | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 1 August 1976 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Forward | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| –1992 | Federation Works | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1992–1993 | Iwuanyanwu Nationale | 25 | (15) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1993–1996 | Ajax | 54 | (25) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1996–1999 | Inter Milan | 12 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999–2004 | Arsenal | 119 | (30) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004–2006 | West Bromwich Albion | 53 | (7) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2012 | Portsmouth | 143 | (20) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 406 | (98) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1993 | Nigeria U17 | 6 | (5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1996 | Nigeria U23 | 6 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1994–2011 | Nigeria | 86 | (12) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nwankwo Kanu (born 1 August 1976) is a famous Nigerian former professional footballer. He played as a forward. Kanu is known as one of Africa's greatest players ever.
He was a key member of the Nigerian national team. He also played for big clubs like Ajax, Inter Milan, Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion, and Portsmouth.
Kanu won many important trophies. These include the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and an Olympic gold medal with Nigeria. He was also part of Arsenal's "Invincibles" team. This team went a whole season without losing a single Premier League game. Kanu also won the FIFA U-17 World Cup, three Eredivisie titles, and three FA Cup medals. He was named African Player of the Year twice.
Kanu is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. He helps children through his own charity, the Kanu Heart Foundation.
Contents
Club Career Highlights
Starting Out in Football
Kanu was born in Owerri, Nigeria. He began his football journey at a local club called Federation Works. Later, he moved to Iwuanyanwu Nationale. After playing very well in Nigeria's winning U-17 World Championship in 1993, he joined the Dutch team Ajax.
He made his debut for Ajax in 1993. He scored 25 goals in 54 games for them. Kanu also played as a substitute in Ajax's 1995 UEFA Champions League final. Ajax won that match 1–0 against AC Milan. The next year, Ajax reached the final again but lost to Juventus on penalties. Kanu played the whole game.
Moving to Inter Milan
In 1996, Ajax sold Kanu to the Italian team Inter Milan. That summer, he was the captain of the Nigerian national team. They won the gold medal at the Olympics. In the semi-finals, Kanu scored two late goals against Brazil. This changed the score from 2–3 to a 4–3 win in extra time. Kanu was also named African Footballer of the Year for 1996.
However, after the Olympics, doctors found a serious heart problem during a medical check-up at Inter. Doctors thought his football career might be over. But Inter's president, Massimo Moratti, decided to keep Kanu. He paid for a risky operation to fix an aortic valve problem.
Kanu had successful surgery in November 1996. He did not return to playing until April 1997. Kanu often talks about how his Christian faith helped him during this tough time. His experience also led him to start the Kanu Heart Foundation. This charity helps young African children with heart problems.
Time at Arsenal
In February 1999, Kanu joined Arsenal in England. He quickly became a popular player. He was known for scoring important goals, often coming off the bench. Fans loved his "two-fingered salute" celebration.
Kanu was named African Footballer of the Year for the second time in 1999. In the 1999–2000 season, he scored 17 goals for Arsenal. This included a famous hat-trick against Chelsea in October 1999. He scored three goals in just fifteen minutes, turning a 0–2 score into a 3–2 win.
As Thierry Henry became Arsenal's main striker, Kanu played less often. But he still helped Arsenal win the 2003 FA Cup. He was also part of the famous "Invincibles" team. This Arsenal team finished the 2003–04 Premier League season without losing a single game. Kanu played 197 games for Arsenal, scoring 44 goals. In 2004, he left Arsenal and joined West Bromwich Albion.
Kanu is still a much-loved figure at Arsenal. Fans always cheer for him when he visits the Emirates Stadium.
Playing for West Bromwich Albion
Kanu joined West Bromwich Albion in 2004. They had just been promoted to the Premier League. He made his debut on 14 August 2004. He scored his first goal for them on 18 September 2004.
In a game against Middlesbrough in November 2004, Kanu had a very memorable moment. He missed an easy goal from very close to the goal line. Many media outlets called it the "Miss of the Season." Despite this, West Bromwich Albion managed to avoid relegation that season.
In the 2005–06 season, Kanu scored against his old club Arsenal. West Brom won that game 2–1. It was their first home win against Arsenal since 1973. West Bromwich Albion was relegated at the end of that season. Kanu's contract ended, and he decided to leave. He played 58 games for West Brom, scoring nine goals.
Time at Portsmouth
Kanu joined Portsmouth in 2006. He signed a one-year deal. He made his debut on 19 August 2006, scoring two goals. He finished the season as Portsmouth's top scorer with 12 goals. He then signed another one-year deal.
In his second season at Portsmouth, Kanu scored in both the FA Cup semi-final and the final. Portsmouth won the final 1–0 against Cardiff City. This earned him his third FA Cup winner's medal.
He continued to play for Portsmouth until 2012. His playing time became less in his final seasons. Portsmouth faced financial problems and was relegated. Kanu left the club in July 2012. He later confirmed he dropped a claim for unpaid wages, letting the club off the money they owed him.
International Career
Kanu played for the Nigerian national team from 1994 to 2011. He made his first appearance in a friendly game against Sweden. Early in his career, Kanu was very important in Nigeria winning the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Japan. He scored five goals in that tournament.
He won an Olympic gold medal in football at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. He scored the winning goal in the 4–3 semi-final win over Brazil. Kanu also played in the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups.
Kanu ended his international career on 24 June 2010. This was after Nigeria left the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He played 86 games for Nigeria and scored 12 goals. For a long time, he was one of Nigeria's most capped players.
Playing Style
Kanu was a very talented player. Even though he was tall and slender, he was quick and elegant with the ball. He had excellent control and nimble footwork. People admired his technical skills, dribbling, and clever moves. This made him an unpredictable player.
He was also an intelligent player with good vision. He could pass well and read the game. This helped him both score goals and create chances for others. Kanu was often a striker. But his creativity also allowed him to play behind the main striker or as an attacking midfielder.
His height made him strong in the air, but he was better at scoring with his feet. He was also known for his determination. He could hold the ball up with his back to the goal. When he played for Arsenal, he often scored important goals after coming off the bench. This earned him the nickname "super sub."
Experts consider Kanu to be one of the greatest African players of all time. Some even say he is the greatest Nigerian player ever.
Personal Life
Kanu is from Abia State, Nigeria. He is a member of the Igbo ethnic group. His name "Nwankwo" means "Child born on Nkwo market day" in the Igbo language.
Kanu's younger brother, Christopher, was also a footballer. Kanu is a Christian.
Kanu was born with a heart problem that affected his aortic valve. It was found and operated on in 1996. Even though doctors worried he might not play again, he made a full recovery. He has regular medical check-ups for his condition. In March 2014, he had another successful heart surgery in the United States.
Helping Others: The Kanu Heart Foundation
Kanu's own experience with his heart condition inspired him to help others. In 2000, he started the "Kanu Heart Foundation." This foundation helps children with undiagnosed heart disease. It also works to help homeless children.
The Kanu Heart Foundation has spent about $4.2 million on surgeries for children outside Nigeria. They have also helped build five hospitals in Africa. These hospitals treat children with heart problems and provide them with life-changing medical care.
Career Statistics
Club Appearances and Goals
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Iwuanyanwu Nationale | 1992–93 | Nigerian Premier League | 25 | 15 | – | 25 | 15 | |||||||
| Ajax | 1993–94 | Eredivisie | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 6 | 2 | ||||
| 1994–95 | Eredivisie | 18 | 10 | 1 | 1 | – | 7 | 1 | – | 26 | 12 | |||
| 1995–96 | Eredivisie | 30 | 13 | 0 | 0 | – | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 42 | 13 | ||
| Total | 54 | 25 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 74 | 27 | ||
| Inter Milan | 1996–97 | Serie A | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 1997–98 | Serie A | 11 | 1 | 2 | 0 | – | 5 | 0 | – | 18 | 1 | |||
| 1998–99 | Serie A | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 2 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 12 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 1 | ||
| Arsenal | 1998–99 | Premier League | 12 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 17 | 7 | |
| 1999–2000 | Premier League | 31 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 50 | 17 | |
| 2000–01 | Premier League | 27 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 2 | – | 42 | 5 | ||
| 2001–02 | Premier League | 23 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 0 | – | 39 | 6 | ||
| 2002–03 | Premier League | 16 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | – | 26 | 6 | ||
| 2003–04 | Premier League | 10 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 0 | – | 24 | 3 | ||
| Total | 119 | 30 | 17 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 53 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 198 | 44 | ||
| West Bromwich Albion | 2004–05 | Premier League | 28 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 30 | 3 | ||
| 2005–06 | Premier League | 25 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | – | – | 28 | 6 | |||
| Total | 53 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 58 | 9 | ||
| Portsmouth | 2006–07 | Premier League | 36 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 38 | 12 | ||
| 2007–08 | Premier League | 25 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | – | – | 31 | 7 | |||
| 2008–09 | Premier League | 17 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | – | 25 | 2 | ||
| 2009–10 | Premier League | 23 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | – | – | 28 | 4 | |||
| 2010–11 | Championship | 32 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 34 | 2 | |||
| 2011–12 | Championship | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 11 | 1 | |||
| Total | 143 | 20 | 11 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 167 | 28 | ||
| Career total | 406 | 98 | 35 | 9 | 18 | 8 | 79 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 542 | 124 | ||
International Appearances and Goals
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | 1994 | 3 | 0 |
| 1995 | 2 | 1 | |
| 1996 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1997 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1998 | 5 | 1 | |
| 1999 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2000 | 10 | 1 | |
| 2001 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2002 | 11 | 0 | |
| 2003 | 4 | 3 | |
| 2004 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2005 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2006 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2007 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2008 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 86 | 12 | |
- Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Kanu goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21 October 1995 | Pakhtakor Markaziy Stadium, Tashkent |  Uzbekistan |
3–1 | 3–2 | 1995 Afro-Asian Cup of Nations |
| 2 | 5 June 1998 | Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam |  Netherlands |
1–3 | 1–5 | Friendly |
| 3 | 22 April 2000 | Lagos National Stadium, Lagos |  Eritrea |
4–0 | 4–0 | 2002 World Cup qualifier |
| 4 | 27 January 2001 | Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt |  Sudan |
3–0 | 3–0 | 2002 World Cup qualifier |
| 5 | 5 May 2001 | Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt |  Liberia |
1–0 | 2–0 | 2002 World Cup qualifier |
| 6 | 25 May 2003 | Independence Park, Kingston |  Jamaica |
2–2 | 2–3 | Friendly |
| 7 | 7 June 2003 | Abuja Stadium, Abuja |  Malawi |
3–1 | 4–1 | 2004 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier |
| 8 | 4–1 | |||||
| 9 | 26 March 2005 | Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt |  Gabon |
2–0 | 2–0 | 2006 World Cup qualifier |
| 10 | 8 October 2005 | Abuja Stadium, Abuja |  Zimbabwe |
4–1 | 5–1 | 2006 World Cup qualifier |
| 11 | 24 March 2007 | MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta |  Uganda |
1–0 | 1–0 | 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier |
| 12 | 17 June 2007 | Stade Général Seyni Kountché, Niamey |  Niger |
1–0 | 3–1 | 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier |
Honours and Awards
Iwuanyanwu Nationale
- Nigerian Premier League: 1992–93
Ajax
- Eredivisie: 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96
- UEFA Champions League: 1994–95; runner-up: 1995–96
- UEFA Super Cup: 1995
- Intercontinental Cup: 1995
Inter Milan
- UEFA Cup: 1997–98
Arsenal
- Premier League: 2001–02, 2003–04
- FA Cup: 2001–02, 2002–03; runner-up: 2000–01
- FA Charity Shield: 1999
- UEFA Cup runner-up: 1999–2000
Portsmouth
- FA Cup: 2007–08
- FA Cup runner-up: 2009–10
Nigeria U17
- FIFA U-17 World Championship: 1993
Nigeria U23
- Summer Olympics: 1996
Nigeria
- Afro-Asian Cup of Nations: 1995
- African Cup of Nations runner-up: 2000
- African Cup of Nations Bronze: 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008
Individual
- Ajax Talent of the Year (Marco van Basten Award): 1994–95
- African Footballer of the Year: 1996, 1999
- BBC African Footballer of the Year: 1997, 1999
- FA Cup Final Man of the Match: 2008
- IFFHS Legends
- IFFHS All-time Africa Men's Dream Team: 2021
See also
In Spanish: Nwankwo Kanu para niños
