Hes older than me an you,His real age is 62, King Kanu, KanuIF only everything in football was as simple as Nwankwo Kanu makes it look! A perfect set-up for David Nugent against Burnley epitomised the Nigerians 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 could not 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 cannot 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 teammates, it has to be said.In Nigeria he is an inspiration. A documentary of his life is due for release soon. The worlds football elite will attend his international testimonial in June. 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 teammate, 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 does not 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. It is what football should be all about.- Culled from www.shoot.co.uk
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