United Nigeria Welfare Association
(Birmingham, Solihull & the Black Country)

UNIWA is the Voice of Nigerians
and Friends of Nigeria in
Birmingham, Solihull & the Black Country

Kanu  Nwankwo

No. 4:  Kanu Nwankwo

Former Super Eagles' captain and Pompey star

Player Statistics:

Name:  Kanu Nwankwo

Position:  Attacking Midfielder or Striker

Date of Birth:  1976

Age:  32

Height:  6ft 6in (1.98m)

Weight:  Weight

Birthplace:  Owerri, Nigeria

Despite facing the prospect of a career-ending heart condition just as his football career was just starting to blossom, Kanu Nwankwo has emerged as one of the most successful football stars from Nigeria and Africa.

Kanu started out in Nigeria with Iwuanyanwu Nationale FC of Owerri. He featured prominently in the all conquering Golden Eaglets in Japan ’93.  At Ajax of Amsterdam in Holland, he won the UEFA Champions League and World Club Cup.

Kanu was also the captain of Nigeria’s gold-winning dream team a the Atlanta ’96 Olympics. He had a stint at Inter Milan in Italy where a hole in the heart operation stalled is progress.  The lethal striker re-launched his career with Arsenal in the English Premier League, where he won the FA Cup, Premier League Championship and numerous other Cup competitions and Awards. In all, Kanu has won just about every football competition and award possible.

Outside football, Kanu is the chief patron of the Kanu Heart Foundation, which raises money to help children suffering from heart problems.  So far more than 75 children, mainly from Nigeria, Cameroon and Ghana, have benefited from the Kanu Heart Foundation.

Kanu Nwankwo is married to Amy and he is a two-time winner of the African Football of the Year award.

Kanu, the fans' favourite

Nigerian midfield general in action
for the Super Eagles

Kanu Nwankwo in full flight during his Arsenal days

Page Updated on 27 October 2008
 

©2008  United Nigeria Welfare Association