Thursday, 04 July, 2024

NFF, well-wishers celebrate football legend Nwankwo Kanu on 47th birthday


Olympic Gold medalist Nwankwo Kanu has taken to social media to celebrate himself on the occasion of his 47th birthday.

The former Nigerian international is widely regarded as one of the greatest African players of all time.

Nwankwo Kanu is the most decorated Super Eagles player ever (Image: LitCaf)

On Tuesday, Kanu turned 47 and family, friends and well-wishers congratulated the legend on the auspicious occasion of his birthday.

ALSO READ: Nwankwo Kanu debunks asking Nigerians to vote particular candidate

Tweeting via his Twitter handle, Kanu stated, “KAN U BELIEVE IT HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME I THANK GOD🙏 #happybirthday #thankgod”.

Celebrating Nwankwo Kanu on his birthday, Super Bara Jackson tweeted: “Happy Birthday Legendary Papilo 🎂🎁🎉 God bless you on every side”.

“Happy birthday Papilo”, Joseph Okeke tweeted.

Meanwhile the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) also wished the Super Eagles legend a happy birthday on their Twitter handle.

Papilo had a largely successful career

With Nigeria, Kanu won the 1993 U-17 World Cup hosted in Japan. The Golden Eaglets defeated Ghana in the final.

He went ahead to win the 1995 UEFA Champions League final with Ajax. He came on as a sub as the Dutch side beat AC Milan in the final.

Kanu captained Nigeria to Olympic glory in 1996. He famously scored two goals to overturn a 2-3 scoreline into a 4-3 win in the semi-final against Brazil. That year, he was named African footballer of the year.

Days before his 47th birthday, Nwankwo Kanu was appointed the chairman of Enyimba Int’l Football Club (Image: Brila FM)

He was also named the African footballer of the year in 1999 – the last Nigerian to win the award.

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The lanky forward won two Premier League titles and two FA Cup crowns while at Arsenal.

Kanu with Arsenal teammates Thierry Henry (L) and Patrick Vieira (R) back in the day (Image: Soccernet.ng)

He scored in both the FA Cup 1-0 semi-final win against West Bromwich Albion and the 1-0 win in the final against Cardiff City. It was his third FA Cup winner’s medal during his time in England.


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