King Kanu

Wednesday, 27/04/2011

by S. J. Maskell, Shoot's Portsmouth blogger

King Kanu, Kanu!

He’s older than me an’ you,

His real age is sixty-two,

King Kanu, Kanu.

If only everything in football was as simple as Kanu makes it look. A perfect set up for David Nugent against Burnley epitomised the Nigerian’s skill. Shielding the ball in his usual unhurried manner, he cut across the edge of the area and rolled a beautifully timed pass to Nugent, who couldn’t help but hit it directly into the top corner.

Class shows. Never mind Kitson and Lawrence, the best bit of business done by the club last summer was keeping Kanu on the payroll, no matter what it cost.

So Kanu can’t run the way he once could and 90 minutes is a struggle, but he has that consummate ability to lift a game by his presence. He can embarrass a defender by guile and his reading of the play is still as sharp as ever, sharper than many of his current team-mates, it has to be said.

In Nigeria he is an inspiration. A documentary of his life is due for release soon. His international testimonial in June is will be attended by the world’s football elite. His Heart Foundation charity is well known. As a role model for young players his value must be untold.

But Kanu has one attribute that surpasses all this. Kanu makes you smile. He brings joy and graciousness to the football pitch. Like his team-mate Linvoy Primus, Kanu has that extra quality that spreads his happiness in using his talent into the crowd. It makes you feel good to watch him.

Then there is that goal that won Pompey the FA Cup in 2008. I defy anyone to watch that scrappy, opportunistic punt without sharing the celebration of the man that scored it. (Cardiff fans excepted!)

At Pompey the running joke about his age is shared by everyone, one of those uniting themes that bind fans together. Rumours that he counts his age backwards each season abound. There are even those that believe he was on the bench for the 1939 cup final. It is said he actually doesn’t know how old he is!

Football needs people like Nwankwo Kanu. People who show you that it is possible to be the best you can be without sacrificing those qualities that make you a civilised human being. Its what football should be all about.

S.J. Maskell also writes for pompey-fans.com and twohundredpercent.net

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