Football fans in Ebonyi on Sunday celebrated the birthday of former Nigerian international and Arsenal legend, Nwankwo Kanu.

Football fans in Ebonyi on Sunday celebrated the birthday of former Nigerian international and Arsenal legend, Nwankwo Kanu.

The former Super Eagles skipper turned 45 on Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the 1993 FIFA U-17 world cup winner, fondly called “Papillo’’ by his fans had 86 caps for Nigeria.

The former Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Club of Owerri’s talisman scored 13 goals for Nigeria in an enviable career that spanned from 1994 to 2010.

Kanu is a recipient of the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), an Olympic Games football gold medalist and had illustrious club careers with Ajax Amsterdam of Holland, Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion of England.

Defunct Ebonyi Angels FC of Abakaliki Defender, James Onele, said that Kanu thrilled soccer fans across the world with sublime skills and trademark passes.

“Kanu won two African Footballer of the Year awards, an AFCON silver medal, four AFCON bronze medals among other honours.

“He was the first Nigerian, alongside Finidi George to win the prestigious UEFA champions league trophy with Ajax in 1995,” said Onele.

An Arsenal FC supporter, Ejike Okoro, said the club’s fans were proud of Kanu’s achievements during his time with the English Premier League side.

“Kanu played 197 times for Arsenal, scoring 44 goals and was part of the club’s invincible team that did not lose any match in the 2003-04 EPL season.

“He was instrumental in endearing Arsenal to millions of Nigerian soccer fans, despite later dro