Nigeria’s Kwankwo Kanu wants to win the World Cup
Nigerian Veteran Nwankwo Kanu wants to make noise by winning in the World Cup before ending his international Soccer career. The 34-year old Kanu, who is the most successful and most consistent Nigerian player, wants to prove Brazilian Legend Pele’s prediction. Pele predicted that an African team will finally lift the world cup trophy in 2010.
Kanu believes that now that the World Cup is being held for the first time on African soil, Africa will have their best shot to shock the world and rule the biggest tournament in soccer.
“In football you cannot tell what is going to happen. We want an African team in the final and if that is Nigeria then great. We have to be positive and always believe we can make it and I believe we can really achieve something in the World Cup.” Kanu said
The 34-year old midfielder is the only remaining member of the 1998 Nigerian team that competed and played very well in the World Cup. He said that their main goal this year is to get into the semifinals and everything can happen during that stage because the World Cup is very unopredictable.
Kanu, who will be playing his 86th international game for Nigeria, has led his country to a lot of major success in the sport. He was a vital part of Nigeria’s under-17 team that won the World Cup and when he was just 19 years of age, he led the Nigerian super Eagles to a gold medal – finish in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He has won six major league titles in his career which includes three FA Cup titles and one UEFA cup crown.
"Everybody wants to be at his best on the highest stage at the World Cup. It is every player's dream to be playing in South Africa and being part of such a historic event. For me I want to score goals and if I can do that then we can do well."
Nigeria failed to qualify in the 2006 World Cup because of poor performances in the international scene but their team captain said that it will not be affecting their morale in this year’s edition. He said that those disappointing part of his career will make him more eager to lead his team in the knockout stages of the tournament.
"That's going to make us give more, especially Nigeria, we love soccer and everybody in Nigeria doesn't want to hear any excuse from us. The Nigerians want us to do well and the pleasure is theirs, so we really have to achieve and do something for them." He said.
Nigeria will open their 2010 World Cup campaign on June 12 when they go up against a tough Argentinean squad. After that, they will take on the highly-improved Greece team on June 17 and then they will battle it out with Asian powerhouse South Korea.
When they reach the Semifinals, they will most likely be going up against one of the tournament favorites England. Kanu is no stranger to England fans because he has gained a lot of support from them since donning the Arsenal Jersey in 1999.
He also said that England is close to his heart but his loyalty remains with his native country Nigeria. He remains confident that they can go up against anybody in the knockout stages of the World Cup.
"We don't care who we meet but we want to go higher and be in the semi-finals. If it is England then so be it. I know it's going to be difficult whoever we play but with the players we have got and working hard I think we can achieve it." Kanu said.
Kanu also declared that win or lose, this will be his last world cup stint but he will still be playing competitive soccer after being offered a contract extension by Portsmouth and he’s also considering playing in Australia and Qatar.
Tags: