Charleston Battery News Release -- www.charlestonbattery.com
Tuesday, July 20, 2011
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- With a week remaining until the Charleston Battery play England’s Portsmouth F.C. in an international exhibition match at Blackbaud Stadium we profile one Portsmouth player in particular who has enjoyed an incredible career. Forward Nwankwo Kanu joined Portsmouth in 2006 after spells with Ajax, Inter Milan and Arsenal in a career that has seen him win the Champions League, Premier League, F.A. Cup and UEFA Cup, as well as an Olympic gold medal in 1996.
"We’re enjoying our time here. The facilities are good and we couldn’t ask for better weather” said Pompey’s Kanu. "Charleston Battery should be a good test for us. The game is an important part of our preparations for the new season and we’re looking forward to it.
"They’re in the middle of their season so should be fitter than us but we have good players and will do our best to win the game."
After a notable performance for Nigeria at the U-17 World Championships Kanu was signed by Dutch side AFC Ajax in 1993. He made his Ajax debut the following year and went on to score 25 goals in 54 appearances. Kanu also came on as a substitute in Ajax's 1995 Champions League final win over AC Milan.
In 1996, Ajax sold Kanu to Italian Serie A side Inter Milan and that summer he captained the Nigerian team that won gold at the Olympics and was named African Footballer of the Year.
However, soon after returning from the Olympics, Kanu underwent a medical examination at Inter, which revealed a serious heart defect; he underwent surgery in November 1996 and did not return to his club until April 1997. Kanu's experience led to his founding the Kanu Heart Foundation, an organization that helps predominantly young African children who suffer heart defects.
In February 1999 Kanu was signed by the English Premier League’s Arsenal where he scored 30 goals in a five year spell. During his time with Arsenal Kanu was named African Footballer of the Year for the second time in 1999. Kanu was part of Arsenal’s double-winning team (EPL Champions / F.A. Cup Champions) in 2002; he won an FA Cup in 2003 and a second Premier League title in 2004.
After leaving Arsenal Kanu spent two season’s with the EPL’s West Bromwich Albion before joining Portsmouth for the start of the 2006 season. Kanu has scored 27 goals in 155 games for Pompey including the game-winner in the 2008 F.A. Cup final.
Kanu was a member of the Nigerian national team from 1994 until 2010 and played in the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups. On 24 June 2010, Kanu ended his international career following Nigeria's exit from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa; in all Kanu won 86 caps and scored 13 goals for his country and is the joint most capped Nigerian player of all-time.
The Battery plays Portsmouth on Wednesday, July 27 at Blackbaud Stadium, Daniel Island; gates open at 6 p.m. with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. Tickets for this match are available /starting at just $20 with discounts available for groups of 10 or more. To purchase tickets or for more information please call (843) 971-GOAL (4625) or visit www.charlestonbattery.com.
Charleston Battery vs. Portsmouth FC is presented by the Angie Gainey Bailey Real Estate Team. Event partners include: Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce, Carolina Care Plan, Charleston City Paper, Clearchannel, Holiday Inn - Mt Pleasant, Live 5 News & Sysco.