Nwankwo Kanu: Star at The World Cup U17 The then small Nwankwo was born on August 1, 1976 in Owerri (Nigeria). Kanu was fed with football. His father was a footballer, his older brother was a footballer, so it was no longer a question whether little Kanu would also play football. Kanu still learned football barefoot in Nigeria. Where he returned years later, he was pleased to see that times had changed. Where they now wear football boots, it was out of the question in his time. Despite the fact that he played football, it soon became clear that Kanu was really a talent. Kanu only shot into the air later in his youth. The biggest reason for his growth was the fact that Kanu suffered from a hereditary condition: Marfan syndrome. Because of this he later also had heart complaints, but more about that later. His family, however, considered school more important than football. Still, Kanu was picked up in time. And it was the Nigerian first division club Federation Works wh...