Ex-Nigeria skipper Kanu scores three times in Arsenal charity game

Former Nigeria international, Nwankwo Kanu showed that he still had a lot of sporting energy in him despite retiring from active football. Kanu scored three times in a charity game at Arsenal’s Emirates stadium in London on September 3.

Kanu returned to Arsenal where he spent five five seasons for the Arsenal Foundation’s charity which was between Arsenal Legends and Milan Glorie.

Kanu scored his first in the 27 minute mark but the Milan side pulled even before the end of the first half. He headed in a second to restore Arsenal’s lead before converting a spot kick to complete his hat trick on the afternoon.

The game finally ended 4 – 2 for the home side. Aside Kanu, another African player who appeared for Arsenal was Kolo Toure who left the Emirates side to Manchester City, then to Liverpool and now with Scottish side, Celtic.

The game – in aid of The Arsenal Foundation – saw a sell-out crowd treated to an exhibition of football as two star-studded sides rolled back the years in north London.

In a post game interview, Kanu said he promised to score a hat trick and he delivered. “I told you I will score three goals and I did,” he said.

A message from papilokanu #ArsenalLegends pic.twitter.com/ukBcpZFy0A

— Arsenal FC (Arsenal) September 3, 2016

‘‘From Kanu’s hat-trick, to Ray Parlour’s brief cameo and Nigel Winterburn and Paolo Di Canio’s re-enactment of their 1998 ‘clash’, this had something for everyone, Arsenal.com reports.

Other Arsenal legends who played included Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg, the pair proved just as incisive as during their pomp, and combined brilliantly for the Pires’ late goal that prompted the biggest cheer of the day.