Nigeria: Kanu – a Legend Honoured

13 June 2011

Not a few red eyes could be spotted at the end, even around the media tribune as Nwankwo Kanu made a final lap of honour around the Teslim Balogun Stadium surrounded by his friends from all over Africa.

It was fitting tribute to the man whose skills, vision and intelligence have lit up the green white green jersey of Nigeria.

This one game to mark the legend’s final bow may have ended 3-2 to the Super Eagles All Stars, but in the end it was a thoroughly enjoyable and fun game to honour one of the legends of not just the Nigerian, but also the African game.

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, whose support for the game showed him up to be a true football fan, proved that he could more than hold his own among professional footballers. His counterparts from Rivers and Kanu’s home state of Imo supported from the safe distance of the VIP box.

But even they would have applauded when Fashola found himself played through on the far right, and only just screwed his shot wide of Ike Shorunmu’s post as he captained the Super Eagles All Stars.

But it was to be the testimonial man who opened the scoring, beating Peterside from close range, not long after the stadium announcer had told the entire ground how the former Nigeria keeper had boasted earlier in the day that he would not be beaten.

It was not to be long before Ike Uche breached his net again. This time played in by Yakubu Ayegbeni’s wonderful reverse pass.

After a rash of substitutions on both sides, Emmanuel Adebayor scored what looked like a second half comeback goal for the Friends of Kanu, which featured Samuel Eto’o, the only African with more titles than the Nigerian.

But Uche, perhaps taking the game a little too seriously, left three defenders in his slaloming wake to rifle home an unstoppable volley.

Jay-Jay Okocha mesmerized the crowd with his never-fading skills and Kanu showed that he could perhaps have played one last year for the Super Eagles before calling it off, but all good things must come to an end.

“There’s a time to start and a time to finish, it has been a fulfilling ride from day one,” an emotional Kanu said after the match.

“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 World XI , managed by Stephen Keshi and Jo Bonfrere included Jean Makoun, Khalilou Fadiga, Anthony Baffoe, Jay-Jay Okocha, Sammy Kuffour, George Boateng, Joseph Yobo, Taye Taiwo, Herman Hreidarsson and Obinna Nsofor.

Former Nigerian captain Kanu announced his retirement from international football at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa in June 2010.

Reigning African Player of the Year Samuel Eto’o, who enjoyed adoration and applause from fans, was full of praise for the talented Kanu.

“Kanu is undoubtedly the most recognised, successful and talented footballer I have ever seen on the field,” Eto’o said.

“It was not hard to honour him by travelling down because he is an icon of the African game and we must honour him.

“After playing against him, I was honoured and today I came here to show how much we respect and appreciate his achievement, inspiration, motivation and charitable gesture.”

Former Arsenal striker, Emmanuel Adebayor revealed that Kanu was is only hero when growing up and as a professional.

“I cannot hide the fact that I moulded my career in his image and it is obvious that he still my inspiration and hero as a footballer,” he said.

And in the end, as Kanu was helped off with a guard of honour, it was fitting tribute to one of the greats of the African game.

STARS ROLL CALL

Babatunde Raji Fashola, Samuel Etoo, Michael Essien, Austin Okocha, John Utaka, Finidi George, Mutiu Adepoju, Kalu Uche, Kanu, Obinna Nwaneri, Yakubu Ayegbeni, Ike Uche, Elderson Echiejile, Onyekachi Okonkwo, Daniel Amokachi, Uche Okechukwu, Ogbonnaya Kanu, Ike Shorunmu, Danny Shittu, Waidi Akanni, Stephen Appiah, Kalusha Bwalya, Khalilou Fadiga, Kolo Toure, Anthony Baffoe, Rigobert Song, Benjamin Mwaruwari, Emmanuel Eboue, Sammy Kuffour, George Boateng, Stephen Keshi and Jo Bonfrere.

AllAfrica – All the Time