‘Simy’ Nwankwo: Kanu is my role model

Prolific striker, Simeon Nwankwo, has described former Super Eagles skipper, Nwankwo Kanu as his idol.

Speaking in a recent interview, the football star talked about his growing up in Onitsha, Nigeria and how he later ventured into football in Portugal.

‘My childhood in Onitsha was beautiful. I miss it so much because it is my land. Also, my family and all my friends are there.

When was the first time you kicked a football?

I was little, I was maybe four years old. I started playing at home, outside, everywhere. Every time. I always wanted the ball between my feet. My father said I was sick from this game. It didn’t take much to give birth to my passion, or rather obsession, for football.

Your hometown team, the Portuguese league and then Crotone. Why did you choose Crotone? If I’m not mistaken, you had other offers but you rejected them …

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In Onitsha, I grew up as a person, in Portugal as a player. I understood what it means to be a professional, a fundamental and important step for me that gave me the opportunity to come to Crotone in 2016.

How can you say no to Serie A? One of the best leagues in the world and the toughest.

Speaking of Serie A, even your idol played there, for a brief period – Nwankwo Kanu. His name is your surname, same origins, both 1.97 tall, perhaps a little uncoordinated due to this physicality but also terribly unpredictable and deadly in the penalty area. Do you see yourself in him?

Kanu has been my idol since childhood, a very important point of reference. For his history and both as a player and as a man. He has always overcome all the difficulties of his life. Watching him made me stronger.

We have the same name and surname and it’s beautiful, but I’m not even 10% of what he was. I can’t even think of comparing myself to Kanu. He made football history, in his own way. (He spoke with scorenigeria.com)