For
the love of Kanu as he retires
By
Nnamdi Okosieme
While
the heavy rains, which hit Lagos on Saturday,
June 11, may have inconvenienced residents of the city, keeping some of them
indoors; it did nothing to dampen the spirits of football fans who thronged the
Teslim Balogun Stadium to pay homage to Nigeria's most decorated football
player.
Even
though parts of the city were flooded by the rains, which came in torrents, the
scene outside the Teslim Balogun Stadium from 3pm when the rains had receded
resembled something of a bedlam with fans jostling, pushing and shoving to get
into the stadium. The atmosphere inside was no different as security operative
worked frantically to bring the surging crowd under control. No one could blame
them for their excitement; this was the last time most of them would see,
Nwankwo Kanu, their very own Papilo in flesh and blood. The lanky star whose
career had seen him play for some of Europe's
leading clubs was calling time on an international career that spanned a little
over one decade and half.
That
career had begun with an international friendly game against Sweden in 1994 and had ended in June 2010 after Nigeria's 2-2 draw with Korea, which
sent the Super Eagles out of the World Cup.
In
that span of time, Kanu titillated Nigerian football fans and their global
counterparts with his velvety football skills. In the colours of Nigeria, Kanu
was as committed as he was for the clubs who splashed thousands of pounds on
him weekly. He was at once a magician and a warrior.
Appearing
frail and lethargic, it was easy to fall into the error of thinking he was
harmless. Opponents who fell into that error paid dearly for it. For within
that frail body lurked a mind as sharp as a needle and as precise as a quartz
watch.
A
slice of genius
The
Brazilians found this out this out to their chagrin during the semi-final of
the football event Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games in
the USA.
With Nigeria trailing the
South Americans 3-1 with less than fifteen minutes to the end, the Nigerian
U-23 team captained by Kanu began a fight back with Victor Ikpeba making it two
for Nigeria
on 78 minutes.
With
the Brazilians bracing up for the Nigerian challenge, Kanu, like a general at a
battlefield led the charge. With the seconds ticking away on 90 minutes, Kanu,
in a masterful display of nerve and skill, picked up a pass in the Brazilian
eighteen with his back to the goal deftly outmanoeuvred his markers and slotted
the ball home for Nigeria's
equaliser. It was a beauty of a goal that sent Nigerians worldwide ecstatic.
Four minutes later in extra-time, he killed off the Brazilians with a superb volley
that sent Nigeria
into the final of the event.
That
career came to an end on Saturday and the turnout not only of fans but of
football stars who came to do him honour is indicative of the high regard in
which he is held. After all, it is not every day that we see superstars like
Samuel Eto'o, Emmanuel Adebayor, Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, Rigobert Song,
Benjani Mwaruwari, Emmanuel Eboue, Stephen Appiah, Sammy Kuffour, Anthony
Baffour and Kolo Toure, showing in Nigeria. Neither do we enjoy the privilege
of seeing our former stars like Finidi George, Peter Rufai, Ike Shorunmu, Uche
Okechukwu, Mutiu Adepoju and Austin Okocha in action in Lagos. Kanu has paid his dues to Nigeria and
deserves ever accolade he gets.
source: NEXT
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