Kanu began his career, aged fifteen, at first division club Federation Works before moving to Iwuanyanwu National in 1992. After a notable performance at the Football U-17 World Championship he was signed by Ajax Amsterdam in 1993 for $250,000. He made his Ajax debut in 1994 and went on to play 54 times for the Netherlands Dutch side, scoring 25 goals. In 1996, Ajax sold him to Inter Milan for around $4.7 million; that summer he played in the Nigeria national football team Nigerian squad that won gold at the 1996 Summer Olympics. Kanu was named African Footballer of the Year for that year.
At Inter a medical examination revealed a serious heart defect; he underwent surgery in November 1996 to replace an aortic valve and did not return to his club until April 1997. In February 1999, after just twelve games for Inter, Kanu was signed by Arsenal F. C. for roughly $7.5 million. Initially his career was revived under Arsene Wenger, and he was named African Footballer of the Year for the second time in 1999.
Kanu’s appearances for Arsenal gradually became less frequent, and in the 2004 offseason, after failing to get his contract with Arsenal extended, he moved to West Bromwich Albion F. C. on a free transfer. Kanu played for Nigeria in the Football World Cup 1998 and 2002 World Cups.
Kanu is remembered for his classic hat-trick against Chelsea F. C. in which one of the goals was scored parallel to the goal line.
Kanu has since become a philantropist considering the activities of the Kanu Heart Foundation.
He is also a UNICEF ambassador.
2. Olusegun Odegbami
Olusegun Odegbami, often shortened to Segun Odegbami (born August 27, 1952, in Abeokuta) is a retired Nigerian footballer who played as a forward. He's nicknamed Mathematical for his precise style of play. He was famous for running down the touchline with the ball to prevent opponents from getting it. Odegbami is regarded as one of the greatest Nigerian players of all-time.
The former Nigerian skipper is also a director at Nigeria's leading sports publication,Complete sport.
3. DR Larry IZAMOJE
Larry is a sports journalist cum business man.Izamoje
deserves a place in the list of influential sport people.He runs
the successful Brila FM,Africa's first and only sports
station.
4. Felix ANYANSI
Felix Anyansi is an astute administrator.Prior to his
emergence as Enyimba boss,Anyansi was not well known in
Nigeria's sports circles,but he learnt fast and became a
household name with Enyimba.
Today,Enyimba has produced several international stars that
have represented different countries.Players like Vincent
Enyeama,Dele Aiyenugba, Muri ogunbiyi,Joetex Frimpong.
5.Chief Rafiu LADIPO
Chief Rafiu Ladipo is president-general of the Nigeria Football
Supporters Club.
Ladipo is one man who has turned the Nigeria Football
Supporters Club into an international brand.
6.Samson SIASIA
Nigerians still remember his feat at the Holland 2005 World
Youths Championship the Beijing Olympics,where he earned Nigeria the silver medal and also a bronze medal in Rio Brazil.
7. Jay-Jay OKOCHA
Former Super Eagles captain,Austin Jay-Jay Okocha is one of
Nigeria's most loved sports persons.
Okocha is now the chairman of Delta state football Association
8.Taye IGE
Taye Ige is one of Nigeria's accomplished sports marketers.He
has been able to secure several sponsorship deals for
football properties and played key roles in competitions hosted
by Nigeria.His TV sports programme,HotSports Live is
Nigeria's longest TV sports programme.The University of
Benin graduates manages HotSports,a leading sport marketing
firm in the country.
9.Churchill OLISEH
Oliseh manages a grassroots football club,FC Ebedei,which
has made significant contributions to the game in Nigeria.
Elder brother of former Super Eagles captain,Sunday Oliseh,is one man who has played a major role in the careers of several Nigerian football stars based in Europe.
10. Mikel John Obi
Mikel Obi is a Nigerian international footballer who is a mid-fielder in English club side, Chelsea. Playing for Nigeria’s Under-17 side at the 2003 World Youth Championship, the Under-20 side at the 2005 competition and also Olympics game in Rio this year Where he set the stage to his fame and stardom.
Mikel made his FIFA World Cup appearance during the 2014 tournament in Brazil, aiding his team side to reach the knockout stage after 16 years. Nigeria’s Super Eagles won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations with Mikel playing key role for the team. He is one of the highest paid Nigerian international players and also the present Captain of the super Eagle.
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