Arsenal football club and fans across the world are
celebrating the 38th birthday of former Super Eagles captain, Nwankwo ‘Paipilo’
Kanu. He was born on 1st August 1976.
Kanu was a member of the Nigerian national team from 1994 to
2010, making his debut in friendly against Sweden. Earlier on at the start of
his career, Kanu was instrumental in Nigeria’s overall success at the 1993 FIFA
U-17 tournament in Japan and the subsequent 2–1 victory over Ghana in the
final. With five goals, he was second joint-scorer in the tournament with Peter
Anosike and Manuel Neira, behind compatriot and Captain Wilson Oruma.
As well as winning the Olympic gold in the football event at
1996 Olympics in Atlanta, where he scored the winning goal in the 4-3
semi-final win over Brazil, Kanu participated in the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World
Cups.
On 24 June 2010, Kanu ended his international career
following Nigeria’s exit from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Nigeria lost
their group matches against Argentina and Greece, before a 2–2 draw with South
Korea ended their stay in the tournament.
He won 86 caps and scored 13 goals for his country and was
the joint most capped Nigerian player of all-time alongside Muda Lawal, until
Joseph Yobo surpassed both players in 2012, winning his 87th cap.
Kanu has won a UEFA Champions League medal, a UEFA Cup
medal, three FA Cup Winners Medals and two African Player of the Year awards
amongst others. He is also one of few players to have won the Premier League,
FA Cup, Champions League, UEFA Cup and an Olympic Gold Medal.
He made the third-most substitute appearances in Premier
League history, appearing from the bench 118 times. He is also a UNICEF
ambassador
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