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Kanu will retire after World Cup

Posted: 2009-11-16 20:03

Much-celebrated Nigeria striker Nwankwo Kanu will hang up his international boots after the Super Eagles end their World Cup campaign in South Africa in June.

Speaking immediately after the Nigerians booked their place at the finals with a 3-2 success over Kenya, Kanu heaped praise on their opponents but indicated his confidence that a winner was going to come.

“Kenya have a very good team," Kanu told Goal.com. "They played well but we are happy to win. Despite the pressure, we knew we could do it. It was just was a matter of time. Now we have a chance to go to World Cup and do well. Our chances are good."

On his retirement from international football, Kanu said, “I will quit after this World Cup. I cannot play when I am 50. I have reached the heights and my aim is to go to World Cup. I thank God that finally after all the fight, all the struggle, all the hard work, we are there."

Kanu was an unused substitute in the weekend's match. During the previous encounter between the two teams in Nigeria, he came off the bench to help the Super Eagles turn the tables on the dominant Harambee Stars.

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Recent Comments: 49

Currency: 2009-11-16 20:27

Thank you very much PAPILO you have done your best for us Nigeria and am very happy for that, for you hanging up your internation boot I was not suprise with your celebration after the last game in Kenya I know you will make it ans also hope that JAY-JAY will come back for the world cup in south africa.

Kunle: 2009-11-16 20:37

Dear forumites.......Its a day after the anticipated great weekend.That the SE picked a SA World Cup ticket and that the GE lost the U17 final is no longer news.
Since we couldnt pick up both prizes would you have prefered the GE picking up the cup and we miss out on SA or reverse which is the case we have? Whats your take on this issue?

nelson: 2009-11-16 20:41

what a fantastic retirement!!!he really plays his due for nigeria football,once again i say bravo to you kanu.

val: 2009-11-16 20:52

@Kunle, it was a welcome news that we lost the u-17 world cup and qualified for South Africa 2010, even a lay man knows which is more prestigious. With the wranglings and controversies that trailed the LOC, GE, NFF and Nigerians in general regarding this tourney, we should be satisfied with the successful hosting and a silver medal which was above all expectations.
Well, Kanu, you have prove to us that you can be part of the 2010 world cup squad, before deciding if it would your last or if you have had your last already. 8-9 months is still far away and unless you improve, am afraid you should as well be kissing 2010 goodbye with your present rating.

oge: 2009-11-16 21:27

@billion...A giant billboard of this very goodlooking warrior should be made and erected in front of billions house,while the biggest frame of this picture should be delivered to billion,it,he should be made to look at it first thing in the morning and also last thing before bedtime..lol

9ja: 2009-11-16 21:28

THANK YOU KANU YOU ARE GREAT PLAYER AS LONG AS FOOTBALL IS CONCERN.I WANT TO ASK QUESTION WHY IS IT SO DIFFICAULT FOR US TO WIN IN ABUJA STADIA? BOTH JUNIOR AND SENIOR TEAM. SINCE THE OPENING OF THIS ABUJA STADIA WHICH NIGERIA LOSS TO 3/0 WE HADLY SUCCEED THERE.I WONDER WHAT IS GOING ON IN THAT STADIA HOPE NO SOUL INVOLVED IN THE CONSTRUCTION. I NEED AN ANSWER

New: 2009-11-16 21:29

Please Uncle Kanu, we love you so much but the time has come for you to retire. I know your spirit is willing but your legs can no longer carry you due to old age. At close to 50, I do not see the point you want to make again. Please do not spoil our party by imposing yourself on the coaches. You have won FA cup, champions league, olympics gold, Nigerian league with Iwuanyanwu nationale etc. Please give the young blood a chance and do not become another African sit tight leader. So, Uncle, papa Kanu, leave now pleaseeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

13thSniper: 2009-11-16 21:46

It's good you said that cos u have nothing doing with the national team after the world but for now i think the team needs your experience and encouragement in the world cup most teams need that one man whom every player feels proud playing along side even..Blanco has been wonderful helping Mexico i think you can do the same. I wish u all the best PAPILO

Clovis: 2009-11-16 23:06

Thank you for all the wonderful memories. You name is marked in soccer history book forever.
Can you advice Amodu to look for a better tactical coach to help him out for the WC tournament? Brazil wet with Dunga and now look at them. I think the same can be said for Nigeria with one of our retired pro-players to come in and help Amodu. I guess what I am saying is don’t just be a player also be a leader in directing the course of football in Nigeria. We have numerous retired ex-pro-player that can come in and help with your strong backing. Don’t just play to get paid but play to take the country’s soccer to a new height.

Kele: 2009-11-16 23:26

Adokie,can u tell us how old Kanu is? Billion,waiting 4 ur bashing of Kanu age wise. @Oge,a golden frame of Papilo should be given 2 Billion...,THE BEST IS YET 2 COME!

Flex: 2009-11-16 23:38

@ Emeka and NEW abi na OLD.... U better get the facts correct b/4 u start talking nonsense in this forum. How do u know that Kanu is 45 and 50 yrs old? Did u attend the same secondary school with him? Idiots. To brush up ur knowledge a little bit, Papilo out From Holy Ghost College in 1991. Just do the simple arithmetic.... R u telling us that he was 27 yrs old or 32 yrs old when he finished secondary school? If the 2 of u have Evidence like ur Mentor Adokie, u better go and publish it or else, the two of u will recieve the Blessings of Okija Shrine.

Kele: 2009-11-16 23:45

@ Oge,where have u been since,i remember wella doz days in our KON forum,where comments are made by objective Forumites,i remember wit great nostalgia the likes of Ice queen,Oge,Kenten,d'Don,Oscar,Ken Gadaffi,Coache,Soccer Prof,Doyin,dis same Billion etc. But now Ice queen is lost,d'Don is also lost,Oge lost and found,Kenten,no where 2 be found,Soccer Prof,unknown. Dis forum changed from wat it used 2 be since the day Amodu was appointed coach of SE,many of us cried foul. It became very suprising dat a whole Billion and Gaddaffi,became Amodu 4 life,even when its clear dat dis man has got no clue 4 soccer. SE,always playing rubbish. The forum became worst when people like Mike 1,Emeka,Stilo etc. Came in,Mike1 was always hauling insults on people,Stilo,an alien,Emeka worst alien. When wil our Forum come back 2 how it was? ........THE BEST IS YET 2 COME!

Kele: 2009-11-16 23:45

somewhere: 2009-11-16 23:59

Kanu is 1 of the most successful player in Nigeria. starting from 1993 - 2009 = 16 + 25, (his real age in 1993) should be 41 (to be economical). remember our U-17 starts from 25 coz poverty never allow us to grow normally in nigeria. With due respect, Kanu needs to rest and hunt for talent accross the country to coach as U-17. He shd not attempt to go run in Angola again. Olrun maje e loku eeyan lorun oo. Baba ti dagba.... Thank God Adokie was not born in 1993 to keep Kanu's picture....

etibensi: 2009-11-17 00:20

Great word Papillo.Thank you for letting us know that you are almost clutching 50 and your legs can"t carry you anymore.Make you kuku no go South Africa so that one small boy go take your place.Thank you for all the things wey you done do for Naija.You are a true son of the soil.God bless you.

somewhere: 2009-11-17 00:20

Amodu does not even have respect. Why shd he ask his senior to come and run in Nairobi? Thank God he did not say so at last, but he needed his assistance on the bench which paid up of course.
As a matter of fact, if a sub cant be used to play, why going as a player? Kanu shd join the crew and allow a whole person who is well below 50 play. Remember an unseful benchee is short 1 in a team of 21 players. It is only Amodu that can gamble with short 1 without a red card being issued. Any reasonable coach cannot afford to waste 1 slot in his squad. what if a 1st team member is injured, will Kanu fit to replace him? Remember Ghana 2008 when Kanu played for few minutes after a small elbowing and therafter joined Beti Vogts on coaching bench against Benin. Even when SE were struggling in Kenya, he could not be used as a sub. Will he grow stronger next year to play? Why is he retiring after WC and not now for his health sake? Maybe the older he grows, the stronger he becomes...
There are so many hungry local boys that need to be tested fast, better than Kanu, only that Amodu is indolently lazy. A nigerian that was not present to watch CAF champions league btw Kano pillars & Heartland to look for talents.prefers to take estacode to go and monitor grashoper players in Europe as if he does not have TV at home.

CHUCK: 2009-11-17 00:41

Good job PAPILO , you have done well.Please don`t change this your decision,because OKE MMONWU NO KARIA N` OGBO, UMU AZI AMA YA AJA.It is better to go with your respect than to go like Peter Rufai.

Toluwase: 2009-11-17 00:55