Page 56 - LionKing

INTERVIEW
African countries like Cameroon, organ- isation was not in good shape. I can admit though that things are starting to get better. In Nigeria, we don’t see peo- ple fighting anymore for things like travel allowance. When they fly now, they fly
in jets - in private jets. We no longer hear stories of players fighting against each other in training camps, the federation ensures that their needs are met. When the organisation is good and the talent is there, then we can make it. So right now, I’d say Africa will make it there, I can’t say when history is meant to be made and one day an African country will win the world cup.
Still on AFCON, are there any players
you are looking forward to seeing on the pitch?
I know that Salah is going to come up, Mane is going to be there. We have a lot of good players in Africa, this is a platform for them to represent and showcase their talent and in Nigeria we have a lot of good players and there a lot of players
I am looking forward to see play for us, but the pressure to do well is there; with almost 200 million Nigerians watching and expecting that they remain number one however I believe in them and I know that they are capable. They just need to
believe in themselves, remain focused and calm, and play as well as they would do when they play in the international leagues. I also believe we are in a team with other countries that appear easier so that helps with confidence. We just need to remain focused.
So, let’s talk about you...
My name is Kanu Nwankwo, and when you hear Kanu, I want you to remember the Kanu Heart Foundation as it is very dear to me. It is a charity organization that seeks to help less privileged people that have heart conditions. It is a massive project that started 19 years ago and
so far, we have helped over 560 people which is equivalent to saving over 560 lives. We still have over 200 people on
the waiting list. It is quite synonymous to football, the pressure of almost 198 million Nigerians on the players, and the pressure of 200 patients on Kanu’s shoulder and I need to make sure all of them get access to help, so this is a lot of pressure on me.
I need everyone’s support. I visited the patients in India recently and I saw how much their conditions have tremendously improved. So, this is what the Kanu Heart Foundation is doing.
In terms of football, people are complain-
“
I went back to
when I started,
when I used to play in school leagues. These no longer exist, so I decided to look into them and I set up Kano International Football Academy, KIFA, for youth across Nigeria. It represents grassroot development to youth development.
ing that football is no longer what it used to be, as there is no grassroot platform. Everyone is looking up, no one is looking down, and we the legends, who have done well, don’t have to cross our feet and watch. I went back to when I started, when I used to play in school leagues. These no longer exist, so I decided to look into them and I set up Kano International Football Academy, KIFA, for youth across Nigeria. It represents grassroot develop- ment to youth development. We have selected players across the country and we have partnered with different schools both public and private.
On a much lighter note, what has been your proudest moment on the pitch?
A lot actually. Knowing that you come from Africa and you are quite unsure of what to expect, and going to AJAX? That was the club that made Kanu who he
is today. It was either one of two things actually, I made it there or I did not. I’m very happy I made it because I wanted it. I wanted to be a professional, help others and inspire others. When I travelled and signed my contract, that was the biggest moment for Kanu, because without that moment, there would be no Kanu.
56 | The Lion King | April - June 2019