‘KANU’- More than a Football Star….

In the 90s’ Nigeria produced her most talented group of players till date. The exploits of that group turned the spotlight on not just Nigeria but Africa. Where ever that team went was capsulated in a carnival like atmosphere. Crowds came out in droves. 

Brazilian great ‘Pele’ once tipped an African side to win the World Cup before the year 2000. My guess is that the exploits of  the Nigerian brigade had an influence on that statement.

Nwankwo Kanu fondly called ‘Papillo’, born on the 1st day of August 1976 in Imo state, Nigeria…..is perhaps the stand out performer from among that talent laden group. 

His style of play is best described as poetic. He had the ability to produce something out of nothing. He came off the bench more than any, but always seemed to somehow influence matches. Described as ‘the magician of world football’, Kanu was a magician with an unbelievable repertoire of skills. ‘Papillo’ was a genius on the ball. He single handedly mesmerized the star studded Brazilian Olympic team, as Nigeria matched on to Olympic gold in Atlanta some 21years ago.

‘Papillo’ bamboozling the Brazilian defence in Atlanta.

Kanu was an inspiration to an entire nation. His exploits reenergized the passion of the common man. At a time when many felt disenfranchised, he gave the masses something to be proud of as Nigerians. The successes recorded by the team largely due to Kanu was a welcomed distraction from the hardship many faced. It was a period when national pride soared. Nigerians once again had something to brag about.

Kanu in action for English football side Arsenal fc

Kanu is one of the major reasons Nigerians have so much love for the English game. It was during his time in England that more Nigerians started to court English football. Nigeria today has a very large and passionate followership of the English Premiership.

Kanu with his footballer of the year award 99′

‘Papillo’ won more than his fair share of both individual and collective awards. He was at a time the most decorated African footballer. But his major achievement was his recovery from a life and career threatening heart ailment. His ability to recover and still play football at the highest level was quite remarkable.

The health challenge he faced led him to set up the ‘Kanu heart foundation’ in the year 2000. The mission of the foundation is to help save underprivileged African kids battling with heart diseases. The mission has so far saved hundreds all over Africa.

‘Kanu heart foundation’ has saved lives

He is much more than a football star to countless individuals. As he has both given us unreal moments on the pitch and also touched the ‘hearts’ of countless individuals worldwide.

Written by: Akpesiri Jesse Akatugba

Twitter: @jesse_siri.

No More ‘MSN’….

Neymar Jr arriving Paris for his medical

 
When the rumors started I never believed it would happen… ‘It’s all paper talk’ I said…. ‘The French league doesn’t have the muscle mass to pull Neymar away from Barcelona’. It seemed impossible….but it has happened.

PSG broke the glass ceiling…it wasn’t just broken, it was broken by miles with a fee of about 222m euros, agent fee of over 50m euros and a weekly wage of about 500k. I thought only Chinese clubs spent so much… Even with the quality Neymar possesses and the inflated transfer market, by all standards the transfer fee was a stupendous amount… ‘It was an irrational decision’ said Wenger..

Neymar was touted to be Messi’s successor, the face of Barcelona after the mordern eras most talented attacking footballer bows out….but no, he declined the chance to be that by moving on to the Parisian club.

Neymar Jr

It was a brave decision by the Brazilian superstar but definitely the right one. Whether he’s successful in Paris or not, it still is the right decision. He has won all there is to win at the Camp Nou, a new challenge looks like the right one. 

Barcelona will cope, the club might even become stronger. Neymar isn’t Messi, so he’s replaceable. I see it as a win win for all parties involved, as everyone got a fair deal….would PSG suddenly become the dominant force in European football?? I doubt it. Neymar is no Messi, as even he has not been able to pull the Albiceleste into the light..but only time will tell.

Written by Akpesiri Jesse Akatugba.

Twitter: @jesse_siri

SPINELESS ARSENAL.

Unbelievable performance??? Nah!!! With Arsenal we always know a bad performance is coming. Some will excuse it as preseason, but in a derby preseason is no excuse.

I’ve had to take my time with the game. I’ve screened it over and over again. 

One thing I noticed is the hunger, energy and passion of The Chelsea team. Conte must have these guys sniffing something; the fitness of his players was unreal. They look hands on favorite to retain the league IMO. 

On the Arsenal side I saw nothing positive to note. 

ARSENE; The manager looked bewildered by what was going on. That in my opinion underlines his cluelessness which doesn’t bode well for the season. He wanted to win but didn’t know what to do; enough of the preseason excuse.

LACAZETTE; I still haven’t seen anything from this guy that hints he’s going to make a difference. I hope Jose isn’t right about him. He doesn’t look as good as Sanchez playing through the middle. He doesn’t press from the top and has showed signs of a loose first touch. I don’t see him as a player capable of winning a game for Arsenal on his own because he seems to lack the ability to create something out of nothing. He looks really lazy. 

THE MIDFIELD; Arsene still hasn’t addressed the centre of midfield. One of the reasons we performed poorly last season was down to the centre. A manager who believes he can win the league would have addressed it already. Ramsey and Coq aren’t players we should be relying on if we want to win the league and the Jury is still out in Xhaka.

THE DEFENSE; People say it was makeshift, I say it wasn’t. Nelson was the only player in the back 3 who didn’t play in the cup final. The defense was totally unorganized. The communication between midfield and defense was zero seeing how Per was sucked into midfield by Bathshuayi’s movements. 

SANCHEZ; the game underlined how we’d look without Sanchez. No leader, no anchor , no energy. We won’t survive without him with this team.

After all that has been said, let’s hope it’s just preseason….

Win Or Die @ The Bridge!

For Chelsea it’s just another game, for Arsenal the Epl perennial underachiever it’s a cup final. If Arsenal should stop short of a win (oh my…oh my) the consequence will be grave because even for her most optimistic fan it will be ‘unto next season please’. Arsene and his Arsenal must win, and win Arsenal must at any cost!
One wonders why it looks like we are watching Arsenal from last season and from seasons past in the most recent memory. It’s a different team, with a better quality and pool of players…but it still looks like we are watching highlights from recent past seasons. Something still is missing. We all thought buying the right players will alter the course of history but even after bolstering the midfield , defense and attack, it’s still same old Arsenal.
Anyway, with all that said, Arsenal just must forget all about history and play their hearts out. This Chelsea side is beatable. I still don’t see anything special about them barring the fact they’re riding with momentum so well. Arsenal must put up a fight today… I see Chelsea playing to frustrate and hit on the counter. The wingers in Moses and Alonso will be key as Bellerin and Monreal also will be. Arsenal must maintain discipline and play with aggression from the get go. 

If I was Arsene I’d play with Perez and Welbeck. The Ox also. I’d leave Ozil and Theo on the bench. I’d play with Mustafi, Gabriel and Kos as three at the back with Bellerin and Monreal/Gibbs as wingbacks! And of course with Alexis leading the line. He won’t go with this (I know),but what ever he goes with, WIN Arsenal must!!!