Nwankwo Kanu Soccer/ Football Foundation 2024/2025

The Kanu Heart Foundation (KHF) is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation founded by world-renowned footballer, Nwankwo Kanu, who established the charity after undergoing major heart surgery in 1999.

KHF supports underprivileged children and young adults in Nigeria and other African countries who suffer from life-threatening heart conditions, helping to provide them with the required treatment.

Since its launch in 2000, KHF has successfully arranged for 538 children to receive open heart surgeries in hospitals around the world. According to KHF data, the organisation has spent about $4.2 million, an average of $10,000.00 per person, on surgeries outside Nigeria.

The Foundation, which also works to tackle homelessness in Africa, has to date funded the construction of five hospitals across the continent to treat children with undiagnosed heart disease and provide them with life-changing medical care.

The First Group is a proud long-term supporter of KHF, having raised thousands of dollars on behalf of the charity over the past two decades, funding heart surgeries performed in locations including India. All surgeries are done in foreign countries like England, Israel, India, and Sudan. The federal government of Nigeria has given the Kanu Heart Foundation a piece of land in Abuja.

Nwankwo Kanu Background

Kanu, a member of the Aro sub-group of the Igbo ethnic group, was born on 1 August 1976 in Abia State, southeast Nigeria. His name, Nwankwo, translates to “Child born on Nkwomarket day” in the Igbo language. Kanu’s younger brother, Christopher, was also a footballer, while he has another younger brother named Ogbonna. As a Christian, Kanu faced a congenital heart defect that required surgery in 1996.

Despite concerns about his playing career, he made a remarkable recovery and continues to undergo annual medical check-ups. In March 2014, he underwent another successful corrective heart surgery in the United States.

Nwankwo Kanu Career

Kanu started his professional career at a local team called Federation Works before transferring to Iwuanyanwu Nationale. Following an impressive performance in Nigeria’s triumphant U-17 World Championship campaign, he was acquired by the renowned Dutch club AFC Ajax in 1993 for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut for Ajax that same year and went on to score 25 goals in 54 appearances.

Kanu also made a substitute appearance in Ajax’s victory over AC Milan in the 1995 UEFA Champions League final. The following year, Ajax reached the final again but suffered a loss to Juventus in a penalty shootout. Kanu played the entire match as a starter.

In 1996, Kanu was sold by Ajax to Serie A side Inter Milan for approximately $4.7 million. After just twelve league games and one goal for Inter, he was signed by Arsenal in February 1999 for around £4.15 million.

Kanu made his debut for Arsenal in the FA Cup match against Sheffield United. Despite the overshadowing events during his debut, Kanu’s career quickly regained momentum at Arsenal. He scored his first goal for the club in the subsequent cup match against Derby County, coming off the bench to secure the only goal of the game.

West Bromwich Albion had recently earned promotion to the Premier League for the second time in two years. Kanu became a regular player for the club, making his debut in a 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers on August 14, 2004. He scored his first goal for Albion on September 18, 2004, equalizing in the 88th minute of a home draw against Fulham.

Following his departure from West Brom, Kanu became a free agent and subsequently signed a one-year contract with Portsmouth shortly before the start of the 2006-07 season. In his second season with Portsmouth, Kanu scored in both the FA Cup semi-final against West Bromwich Albion, resulting in a 1-0 victory, and the final against Cardiff City, securing another 1-0 win. These achievements earned him his third FA Cup winner’s medal.

Nwankwo Kanu Charity Work

Following his retirement in 2012, Kanu Nwankwo, the renowned football icon, decided to hang up his boots and embark on a new chapter in his life. In contrast to many other former international stars who opted for ventures such as club management, coaching, investments, or even active politics, Nwankwo, affectionately known as ‘Papillo’, chose to dedicate himself to full-time charity work.

Through his charitable organization, the Kanu Hearts Foundation (KHF), Nwankwo has been providing support to underprivileged children suffering from undiagnosed heart conditions for more than two decades. The foundation has sponsored a remarkable 580 open heart surgeries for less fortunate children across the nation since its inception.

Nwankwo Kanu Foundation Contact

You can contact the foundation on the following numbers:

• 08034738393
• 08033043769
• 08108212793

Nwankwo Kanu Foundation Email

You can reach the foundation email via this link https://kanuheartfoundationng.com/contact/

Nwankwo Kanu Foundation website

The official website of the Nwankwo Kanu Foundation is https://kanuheartfoundationng.com/

Nwankwo Kanu Foundation Requirements

The foundation has not provided any prerequisites yet.

Nwankwo Kanu Foundation Application

You can apply to be a volunteer at the foundation. The foundation offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities. Visit the official website to learn how to apply as a volunteer.