In 1996, as
Nigeria’s Dream team battled it out against Brazil in the men’s soccer
semi-finals in Atlanta USA, the Olympic Five ring gave up its icon status to
Nwankwo Kanu; the only player that had ever scored a golden goal.
FIFA
President, Sepp Blatter joined Pele and over 4 billion sports fans across the
earth to “worship” the player some call “Papilo.” “He plays more with his head
(Spirit) than his legs (Physical strength).” Pele concluded. And an equally stunned
journalist asked him at the post match interview, “god of soccer?” if he was in
fact, divine.
Kanu
responded, “I could never consider myself a god. I am just another player. I
try to entertain for 90 minutes or so and then let my fans go home happy… I
feel delighted that I am able to put smiles on the faces of my people… for once
we’re all proud to be Nigerians.”
Maybe or
maybe not, but Kanu had repeatedly put up unimaginable performances that
suggested he may have had some supernatural abilities. Take the case of the
English premiership game between Arsenals versus Chelsea, where Kanu scored a
hat trick against a Chelsea team that was 2 goals up before he came on for
Arsenal in the 72nd minutes of the game. Those goals were better
imagined (Watch the Video below).
A foremost
Nigerian TV football analyst, Emeka Enyadike said, “Kanu is the most famous
Athlete in Africa. He’s to us what David Beckham is to the British, what Michael
Jordan is to the Americans. Perhaps, he is the Muhammad Ali of our time.”
Whether he was a god or a mere mortal, Kanu was a sport
product of divine proportions. His talent, his successes and his charisma had
also supported the Nigerian brand among the international community. There’s no
gainsay, he’s indeed Nigeria football ambassador.
An eBook you
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Beyond his
football, Kanu also has a touching story to tell our children and to the next
generation athletes. It’s a story of grass to grace; a story of a cat with nine
lives; a story of faith towards God. I think we should document his story in
our children comic books, write his biography and place them in every library
in Nigeria. Kanu is our true role model.
Today, he
goes about supporting our national teams. He still carries his special grace to
win anywhere he goes. He was a great support during Super Eagles success in
AFCON 2013; he was in UAE and motivated the Golden Eaglets to victory during the
FIFA under 17 World cup. He was again in South Africa during CHAN and saw the
home based players win bronze in the championship. I am sure he will be in
Brazil this June to support Super Eagles in the 2014 FIFA world cup.
Only a man
with the heart of love for humanity can establish a foundation like “Kanu Heart
Foundation (KHS). Kanu had used his charisma, connections and a lot of his
personal money to finance the treatment of children with cardiovascular
diseases – giving back hope to hundreds of families in Africa.
His patriotic
spirit is only comparable to that of Late Samuel Okwaraji. In his story are
lessons for our politicians and for those in government. He’s a man who knows
how to serve his country and how to give back to his people. Kanu has often
displayed true love for our country Nigeria.
I wrote this
eBook and I think every well meaning Nigeria should get it
It’s one eBook
you would like to save handy in your device for quick reference and daily
inspirations. You can get it now.
