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A Supersport survey has rated retired international, Nwankwo Kanu, as Nigeria's best all-time football
By Agency Reporter
A Supersport survey has rated retired international, Nwankwo Kanu, as Nigeria's best all-time footballer.
The report on sturvs.com said Supersport ran a campaign between October 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011 via online generation and other means to determine Nigeria's 50 best footballers.
It was part of the sports channel's celebration of Nigeria's 50th Independence Anniversary.
It contains the names of retired an active Nigerians players and goal keepers.
The survey listed Kanu, Okocha, Sunday Oliseh as the top three.
Below is the full list:
1. Nwankwo Kanu
2. Austin Okocha
3. Sunday Oliseh
4. Rashidi Yekini
5. Segun Odegbami
6. Stephen Keshi
7. Emmanuel Amuneke
8. Finidi George
9. Christian Chukwu
10. Muda Lawal
11. Peter Rufai
12. Daniel Amokachi
13. Taribo West
14. Uche Okechukwu
15. Teslim "Thunder"Balogun
16. Victor Ikpeba
17. Samson Siasia
18. Adokiye Amiesimaka
19. Vincent Enyeama
20. Celestine Babayaro
21. Thomson Usiyan
22. Taiye 'Taiwo
23. Henry Nwosu
24. Emmanuel Okala
25. Felix Owolabi
26. Haruna Ilerika
27. Joseph Yobo
28. Aloysius Atuegbu
29. Richard Owubokiri
30. Elkanah Onyeali
31. Patrick Ekeji
32. Best Ogedengbe
33. Bright Omokaro
34. Peter Anieke
35. Yisa Shofoluwe
36. Ben Iroha
37. Julius Aghahowa
38. Osaze Odemwingie
39. Albert Onyeawuna
40. Augustine Eguavoen
41. Sam Okwaraji
42. Obafemi Martins
43. Yakubu Aiyegbeni
44. Tijani Babangida
45. Tony Igwe
46. John Obi Mikel
47. Sam Garba Okoye
48. Friday Okoh
49. Etim Esin
50. Dan Anyiam
Source: Punch, 20th June 2011.
Tribute to Brand Kanu Nwankwo
ANONYMOUS
Last weekend in Lagos, a testimonial match was organised in honour of Kanu Christopher Nwosu Nwankwo - fondly called Kanu - who, till date, is the most successful Nigerian footballer. The match was a fitting denouement to the illustrious career of a man who has not only represented Nigeria well on the global circuit, but also doubles as a UNICEF Ambassador on account of his fervid commitment to the care of the African child through the Kanu Heart Foundation (KHF). The match, which featured Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State, a motley of friends of Kanu and a Super Eagles All-Stars team, served the dual purpose of raising funds for the furtherance of the cause of the KHF as well as mark the end of a glorious international football career for Nigeria's most decorated footballer. The event drew a wellspring of emotion, encomiums and accolades for Kanu who, for close to two decades, played sublime football at the highest levels for clubs and country.
We join the rest of humanity in congratulating Kanu. His admirable career has seen him win the Under-17 World Cup in 1993 and the Olympic Gold medal for Nigeria in 1996; making Nigeria the first African nation to win both honours. He has also, at various times, won the highly prized UEFA Champions League and the Dutch League with Ajax Football Club of Holland, the English Premier League with Arsenal as well as the English FA Cup with both Arsenal and Portsmouth. Indeed, Kanu's career is not only prodigious in the richness of his trophy cabinet - including being honoured twice as African Footballer of the Year - his career is exemplary in the manner it thrust him as a man who turned adversity into advantage. In November 1996, Kanu underwent a heart surgery which sidelined him for nearly one year. But against the doctors' prediction that he might never play football again, Kanu defied the odds to revive his career.
The result of that show of courage was a phenomenal career at Arsenal and strong showing for Nigeria at several Nations Cup competitions. Kanu may have turned his back on international football but it is heart-warming that he is still part of Portsmouth Football Club of England at 34. It is a testament to his supreme skill, passion and commitment to football enterprise.
We will always remember him for his élan, panache and sophistry on the field. Besides, Kanu carved a good image for himself as a role model for youths across the globe. In an industry deeply scarred by scandals, Kanu reigned for nearly two decades without as much as a whiff of scandal. This is commendable. Kanu got so much from football: influence, affluence and fame. We are happy that he is giving back to society.
The heart foundation which he founded in 2000 has since morphed into a veritable vehicle to bring smiles to the faces of hundreds of Nigerian children who were afflicted by congenital heart defects. This rare sense of public-spiritedness stands him out as an exceptional philanthropist. The Imo State-born football prodigy has saved several lives. He wants to save more by building five specialist cardiovascular centres in Africa. This is a worthy cause.
We urge all well-meaning corporate organisations, governments and individuals to support the KHF. The Nigerian Cardiac Society says about 60,000 Nigerian children suffer heart defects annually. Out of this, about 20,000 die in their first year because of lack of access to definitive treatment. Kanu is determined to address this national tragedy. He therefore deserves our collective support.
In addition, he deserves commensurate national recognition for flying the Nigerian flag for so long without smudge and stain.
Source: Business Day, 18th May 2011.
I've Not Quit Football – Kanu
By Kazeem Busari
Former Super Eagles captain Nwankwo Kanu has said he is still active in football even after quitting the national team officially on Saturday.
The Portsmouth forward had an elaborate pull-out from the Eagles with his testimonial at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos. He said his departure from the team did not mean he had quit football.
"I'm still in football; I'm still playing for my club Portsmouth. I've only decided to leave the national team," Kanu said.
"I quit because I feel I can't be there forever. I believe it is time for me to bow out. I've played my part and I enjoyed doing it.
"I'm grateful for the turnout; I really appreciate the support of all Nigerians in making the event a success."
Kanu, who has featured in three World Cup finals – 1998, 2002 and 2010, was honoured with the presence of Africa's best players, who played against Eagles All-Stars.
The foreign stars that graced the event include Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o, Rigobert Song, Stephane Mbia, Jean Makoun, Ghana's Sulley Muntari, Samuel Kuffour and Togo's Emmanuel Adebayor.
AC Milan's Taye Taiwo and former Eagles stars Finidi George, Uche Okechukwu, Mutiu Adepoju, Ike Shorunmu and Austin Okocha featured for the All-Stars, which included Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola.
Fashola said Kanu deserved the honour he got, adding that the former Iwuanyawu player was a role model to younger players.
Source: Punch, 13th June 2011.
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King Kanu's Glorious Swansong
VINCENT EBOIGBE
It was a tear jerking moment on Saturday inside the Teslim Balogun Stadium, as Kanu made his final lap of honour after his testimonial match, surrounded by some of the finest footballers on the continent both retired and still playing.
Although the rains almost spoilt it all, leading to the match starting slightly over an hour late, fans still came out in droves to hour the king and bid him farewell.
Kanu captures his feeling afterwards this way: "There's a time to start and a time to finish, it has been a fulfilling ride from day one".
"I thank all the players who cut short their holidays from different places and the Nigerian fans for their endless love and support throughout my career."
The retiring great started with the Super Eagles All Stars who won the tie 3-1 and fittingly got the first goal before joining Kanu's Friends in the second half. Lagos state governor Babatunde Fashola captained the Eagles team.
Former captain of Super Eagles Okechukwu Uche, marshaled the defence which included Elderson Echiejile, Obinna Nwaneri and Danny Shittu. Uche was his usual self directing affairs at the back. Headmaster Mutiu Adepoju was mobile, but the injury that ended Dan Amokachi's career still does not allow him do anything with the crowd buzzing "Bull" when the ball gets to him.
Finidi George is still trim even though the waistline has expanded. His blistering pace has all but deserted him as he futilely chased down a pass which would have been a piece of cake in his heyday. Ike Shorunmu was in goal; Peter Rufai later came in and showed he still had his reflexes intact as he dived and parried goal bound shots.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni came in for so much stick as fans still annoyed about his miss at the World Cup, booed his every move. He finally moved towards them at some point clapping and they in turn gave him a thunderous ovation, athough it didn't stop them jeering his the next time. Obvious death knell for any lingering hope of a return to the national team. Joseph Yobo, Taye Taiwo
But the star that was clearly the fans' toast was Inter Milan Eto'o as they chanted his name for long periods prompting him to repeatedly acknowledge their cheers; only Kanu came in for more 'hailing' than the Cameroonian forward.
Rigobert Song was another darling of the crowd which was not up to capacity due to the heavy downpour for most of the day. Still sporting his famous dreadlocks, the former Cameroon skipper did some of the stuff he was famous for, stopping a goal bound move early.
Sully Muntari gave the armband to clowning Austin Okocha who played for Kanu's Friends in the second half. His introduction with Emmanuel Adebayor brought bite into the attack of the Friends with his deft combination with Adebayor and Kanu himself, delighting the fans endlessly. Adebayor got the goal for the side cutting back the two nil lead before Ikechukwu Uche got the final goal, a screamer which Former Eagles goal keeper Peterside Idah did not see. Uche earlier got the first goal. Ghana provided bulk of the players; beside Muntari, Michael Essien, Stephen Appiah, Sammy Kuffour and Tony Baffour all came. Essien could however not play as he didn't want to aggravate his ankle problem on the slippery pitch.
Senegal's Kalilou Fadiga, who also had a heart scare then, was still sharp with his left foot; Arsenal's Emmanuel Eboue and City's Kolo Toure also came as was Aston Villa's Jean Makoun. Samson Siasia, Austin Eguavoen, Waidi Akanni and several retired Eagles stars were on hand to bid Kanu farewell. Stephen Keshi coached the Friends of Kanu, while Christian Chuchu was at the other end.
FIFA's Walter Gagg and Premier League Chairman, Dave Richards were also on hand as was Jo Bonfrere and Fanny Amun. Governor of Imo state where Kanu began his journey, Rochas Okorocha braved the rain to honour the illustrious player who will still continue with his club Portsmouth.
Source: Business Daily, 13th June 2011.
Accolades for Nwankwo Kanu
BY JACOB AJOM
Prominent Nigerians and former international heaped praises on former national team captain, Nwankwo Kanu who retired from international football Saturday.
Governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Raji Fashola said Kanu was an ambassador of goodwill whose exemplary lifestyle should be emulated by all, particularly.
Fashola who captained the "Super Eagles" team against the Kanu and Friends team on Saturday said "Kanu Nwankwo is great son of Nigeria and we are all proud of his contributions to the game in Nigeria and the world over."
Kanu's former coach, Johannes Bonfrere said of Kanu, "he was very good on and off the field. Kanu was a very good leader also and never had any problems with anybody."
On his part, former international, Peterside Idah said "I hold Kanu in a high esteem that is why I am here with a lot of other ex-internationals and our colleagues from abroad are here to honour him. We love him because he has done his best for country and for the game."
Chairman of Enyimba football club of Aba, Felix Anyansi-Agwu said, "what I am witnessing today is unbelievable. Kanu has done so much for Nigerian football that he doesn't deserve anything less. Imagine all the African and other international stars here to honour him. Kanu is a great man."
Source: Vanguard, 12th June 2011.
Kanu's Testimonial: 'Nigerian All Stars' win 3-1
'Friends of Kanu' and 'Nigerian All-Stars ', Saturday, played a testimonial match to celebrate King Kanu's three decades footballing career at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.
The 'Nigerian All Stars' with a surprise member, Governor Raji Fashola, won the match 3-1, with King Kanu scoring one of the goals.
Uche Ikechukwu opened scoring for the 'All Stars' team while Emmanuel Adebayo pulled one back for 'Friends of Kanu'.
Players who featured for both teams in the testimonial are; Emmanuel Adebayor, Jay Jay Okocha, Peterside Idah, Samuel Eto'o, Peter Rufai, Ike Shorounmu, Uche Okechukwu, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Sulley Mutari, Tony Yeboah, Obinna Nsofor, Ogbonna Kanu, Uche Ikechukwu, Alloy Agu, Danny Shittu, Dan Amokachi, Taiye Taiwo, Kalu Uche among others.
Do have your say:
Are today's Super Eagles' players better than the Kanu/Okocha's era?
Source: Vanguard, 11th June 2011.
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