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Tag: Kanu Nwankwo

  • Kanu, Ikpeba applaud on-going  revival at NNL

    Kanu, Ikpeba applaud on-going  revival at NNL

    Nigeria’s football greats, Kanu Nwankwo and Victor Ikpeba, have thrown their weight behind the on-going transformation of the Nigerian National League (NNL), praising the quality of play and leadership at the second-tier level of Nigerian football.

    Ikpeba was present at the Mobolaji Bank Anthony Stadium in Onikan, Lagos, on Sunday to witness a thrilling Match Day 15 encounter between Smart City FC and Warri Wolves, which ended in a 1–1 draw. The result brightened the chances of Warri Wolves’ qualification for the NNL Super Eight, the final playoff round of the league.

    Kanu, the Chairman of Enyimba International FC, Nigeria’s most decorated football club, on his part expressed his excitement at the level of competition and performance of teams in NNL.

    “There is great hope for Nigerian football from what I am seeing in the NNL. I have seen some of the games of the on-going season. What I have seen is encouraging. These players are hungry, talented, and just need the right platform,” Kanu said.

    Read Also: NFF clears air on alleged unpaid salary to Chukwu

    Victor Ikpeba, 1997 CAF African Footballer of the Year, also commended the league’s progress under its current leadership.

    “The standard of play is good and the league is very competitive. I look forward to attending the NNL Super Eight.”

    Kanu and Ikpeba—winners of the CAF African Footballer of the Year in 1996 & 1999 and 1997 respectively—are among a growing list of ex-professionals lending support to Nigeria’s domestic football ecosystem.

    Their presence and endorsements are expected to boost the league’s visibility and attract further attention to grassroots and developmental football across the country.

  • Kanu Nwankwo, wife celebrate 20th wedding anniversary

    Kanu Nwankwo, wife celebrate 20th wedding anniversary

    Kanu Nwankwo, a former Nigerian footballer, and his wife Amara are celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary.

    They both shared heartfelt messages on Instagram, expressing their gratitude and love for each other.

    Amara praised her “legendary husband” for asking for her hand in marriage 21 years ago, while Kanu thanked God for their union and referred to Amara as his “Queen”.

    Read Also: Kanu Nwankwo named Sportsbet.io’s global ambassador

    ”Congratulations to my legendary husband @kingkanu4 for asking for my hand in marriage 21 years ago. Oge Chi ka mma. Happy 20th wedding anniversary to Mr & Mrs Kanu. Cheers to more life together #positivevibesonly #thekanus #weddinganniversary #blessGod #wemove”, Amara wrote.

    Kanu on his part wrote: “Happy Anniversary my love @amarakanu and my God’s gift Amarachi and my everything and my Queen. God is our strength I THANK GOD #thankgod happy wedding Anniversary to mr & mrs KANU.cheers to more life together #positivevibesonly #thekanus #weddinganniversary #wemove”

  • Nigerian football still growing – Kanu

    Ex-International, Kanu Nwankwo, says Nigerian football is still growing and would improve.

    He told newsmen in Ibadan on Thursday during a courtesy call on Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State that there was room for improvement.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nwankwo was in Ibadan to solicit support for 200 patients awaiting surgical operations through the Kanu Heart Foundation.

    “Nigerian football is not bad, but can do better. I believe football is growing in terms of the league.

    ” There used to be times when people don’t go to the stadium to watch games.

    “There is still room to improve in every angle. For me, what I did was to go back to the grassroots which is the most important,” he said.

    He said  the Super Eagles did well in the just concluded African Cup of Nations(AFCON) in Egypt, noting that the team was the youngest in the tournament.

    The ex-international said the sky was the limit for the Super Eagles, adding that  they could  do better at the World Cup.

    Nwankwo said  he had set up Kanu International Football Academy(KIFA) with 20 centres across the country all aimed at identifying talents and nurturing them to stardom.

    Read Also: Nigeria can win AFCON, says Kanu

    “I remember when I started, people do come and watch us. From that time, they knew I am going to be who I am today. I thank God for that.

    “We have new ones who are growing up on the street and are yet to be identified. What we are doing is to touch everyone wherever they are in the country,” he said.

    The ex-international said that KIFA was aimed at creating the platform and opportunities for young and upcoming talents in the country.

    He expressed confidence that the successes of identified talents would benefit the society and other young ones who would learn from them.

    Nwankwo said he was in Ibadan to solicit support for 200 patients awaiting surgical operation through his foundation, adding that he could not do it alone.

    He said his heart foundation had since establishment sponsored 561 surgical operations.

    “We have 200 on the waiting list and Kanu alone cannot do it. That is why I have been moving from one governor to the other to solicit support.

    “I pray they respond  by coming to our aid. We are also planning to build our hospital in Nigeria because we are tired of taking them out of the country every time. It is all about sacrifice,” he said

    NAN

     

  • AY, Dj Cuppy, others for Kanu Heart Foundation’s concert

    AY, Reekado Banks, Peruzzi and Dj Cuppy are set to thrill fans alongside other superstars at Kanu Heart Foundation’s first ever charity concert.

    The event tagged ‘Using music to save a heart’ will hold on May 19, 2019 at the Indigo2 at The O2, London.

    The convener of the concert, ex-Arsenal and Nigerian footballer Kanu Nwankwo, said that he is determined to change the lives of many, by funding heart surgeries for children suffering across Africa with funds raised from the concert.

    Read Also: ‘I’ll remain grateful to my sureties in my trivials’ – Kanu

    Asking for support early this year, Kanu said 20 patients of the Kanu Heart Foundation were operated on by March but there are 200 still on the waiting list for surgeries.

  • Kanu Nwankwo’s wife, fans, celebrate him at 42

    Kanu Nwankwo’s wife, Amara and his fans have continued to shower encomiums on the football legend who turned 42 on Wednesday.

    Kanu, who is the first Nigerian football player to be named ‘African Player of the Year’ twice, is regarded as one of Nigeria’s greatest sportsmen.

    His wife Amara, with whom he celebrated 14 years anniversary in July, wrote on her Instagram page @amarakanu; “Oh look what 1st August brought us. Happy birthday to you champ @kingkanu4. You are loved.”

    Similarly, elated fans also took to twitter to send birthday wishes while they listed his achievements and career highlights.

    They commented wildly under his post on Twitter through his handle @papilokanu. He wrote, “I thank God. Happy birthday to me.”

    @MistaYawan tweeted, “Happy birthday to the man that made me fall in love with Arsenal.”

    @Bimbogramm said, “He is one of the greatest ever Africans to play in the premier league.
    He is the most decorated Nigerian player of all time. Happy birthday Kanu Nwankwo. Let us celebrate this legend.”

    @Okueyunungo said, “HBD the great papilo. You have indeed made us proud.”

    @iam_toror wrote, “Happy birthday Arsenal and Super Eagles legend. More life.”

    @bitrus_dang tweeted, “Happy birthday to Nigeria’s soccer hero. Atlanta ’96.”

    @Dejiogunsanya said, “Papilo, I know say one day you go make us proud. HBD @Arsenal. Legend.

    The legendary Kanu was a member of the Nigerian national team from 1994 to 2010, making his debut in friendly against Sweden.

    At the start of his career, Kanu was instrumental to Nigeria’s overall success at the 1993 FIFA U-17 tournament in Japan and their subsequent 2–1 victory over Ghana in the final.

    He also took part in 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.

    He also played for the Dutch side Ajax, Inter Milan of Italy, and English clubs Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth.

    Kanu has won the UEFA Champions League medal, UEFA Cup medal, three FA Cup Winners Medals and two African Player of the Year awards and the Premier League.

  • Kanu loses N4m to thieves in Russia‎

    Former Nigeria International Nwankwo Kanu at the weekend lost ‎£8,250 (about N4 million) to thievs on his way to Russia for a  FIFA legends game ahead of the World Cup.

    The money was reportedly stolen from Kanu’s suitcase at Khrabrovo Airport in Russia while he was traveling  from London.

    NationSport understands that Kanu was aware of the incident when he got to his hotel and had to alert the authorities.

    According to the Sun of UK, two Airport staff are being interrogated by the authorities for allegedly committing the crime.

    A Russian source reported: “The World Cup has not even begun yet, but world soccer celebrities already require the help of Russian police.”

    According to the interior ministry in a statement, “The stolen cash was removed by the loaders and will soon be returned to the owner.”
    Despite the missing money Kanu played alongside ex-Manchesaeter United and England star Wes Brown in the Fifa legends team against a Russia legends side.

    The SUN reports that the former Nigerian international, did not mention the theft while speaking to the media.

  • Kanu Nwankwo recovers stolen $11,000 in Russia

    Former Super Eagles’ Skipper, Kanu Nwankwo has retrieved the money stolen from his luggage on arrival at the Moscow airport over the weekend after the attacker flew in for an exhibition game as part of the event towards the FIFA World Cup which starts in less than 12 days.

    Local police had confirmed earlier on Monday morning that indeed the former African footballer of the year was robbed of around $11,000, equivalent to four million Naira which was removed from his luggage on arrival at the Moscow airport.

    However, AOIFootball.com can authoritatively confirm that the money has now been returned to the Arsenal legend, who told this medium immediately after he got back his money, that the local police have returned the stolen money.

    “Yes it’s true that the money was stolen from me, but I can confirm to you right now that I have my money with me and I’m grateful to the security agencies for helping to recover it back,” Papilio said.

    This incident will come as a setback to host country Russia, who are trying to stage a near-perfect World Cup with travellers been warned earlier by authorities to be vigilant throughout the tournament.

  • Kanu raises the alarm over bid to seize hotel

    Kanu raises the alarm over bid to seize hotel

    Former Super Eagles captain Nwankwo Kanu has alerted to plans to take over his Hardley Suites on Victoria Island, Lagos.

    He said although the matter is in court, an agency is about to “forcibly seize” the property.

    A statement yesterday by Kanu, the initiator of the Kanu Heart Foundation, lamented that the property, which is a growing concern in the hospitality industry, was put under the temporary possession of the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) by an ex-parte order on account of a purported indebtedness which is yet to be proved. The statement claimed that there were plans to sell the hotel under a secret arrangement.”

    Kanu said: “While I remain resolute in my decision to respect the sanctity of our law courts, I am however constrained to issue this statement to call on well-meaning Nigerians and all men/women of good conscience around the globe to prevail on AMCON to do same. This has become necessary in the light of some bizarre actions of self-help embarked upon by AMCON in vandalising/stripping the assets, under the guise of renovations, but ostensibly with a clandestine design to brazenly sell or hand it to a third party under secret terms and thus complicate/further stall this matter.”

    Kanu said he felt pained that his prized possession was at the risk of being taken away. He said funding for surgery and treatment of many heart victims by the Kanu Heart Foundation had come from his earnings at the Hardley Apartments.

    The matter will come up for hearing before a Federal High Court on February 14.

  • IG says police curtail cases of kidnapping

    IG says police curtail cases of kidnapping

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, on Monday said the Nigeria Police Force had curtailed the activities of high class kidnap kingpins in the country.

    Idris made the disclosure when a former Super Eagles Captain, Kanu Nwankwo, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

    He said the force was also addressing cases of armed robbery, farmers and herdsmen clashes and cattle rustling.

    The police boss said he had marshaled out strategies to check security challenges threatening the country.

    “All we need and will continue to solicit for is the support of the citizenry in giving us adequate information and support to ensure security of lives and property,” he said.

    He reiterated the force’s commitment to provide Nigerians the best policing.

    On sports, Idris said the institution would continue to promote sports as a veritable tool for physical fitness of personnel and national development.

    Read also: Police parade arms recovered from criminals in Bayelsa

    He noted that Nigeria had always relied on the force to produce athletes for international competitions.

    Idris added that the force was committed to allocate a percentage of its personnel to sports to make the country great in sports.

    Kanu promised to partner with the force to contribute his quota toward national development and enhanced service delivery.

    “I will like to be part of any police programme to contribute my quota to national development, “he said.

    NAN

  • Photos: Kanu visits police headquaters Abuja

    Photos: Kanu visits police headquaters Abuja

    L-R: Ambassador of Football, Kanu Nwankwo, Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris and Deputy Inspector General of Police , Suleiman Gambo discussing during a courtesy visit by Kanu at Police Headquarters in Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan