Kanu's Story as told by The SUN Newspaper

Kanu in dancing mood after scoring the only goal of the match



FA Cup hero, Nwankwo Kanu, has hailed Portsmouth's Wembley victory as the greatest moment of his life. The Nigerian forward, who has also won the UEFA Champions League with Ajax Amsterdam and the UEFA Cup with Internazionale, scored the only goal of the game on Saturday to sink Cardiff.

However, Kanu has insisted that lifting the Cup with Pompey had surpassed his previous accomplishments in football.
"They call me king," Kanu, who also scored Pompey's winner in their semi-final victory over West Brom said. "So, I had to deliver, and hopefully, I did.

"I have to thank God, who made it possible for me to score the only and winning goal of the match. This is the best moment of my life. I started the game and I won the Cup for Portsmouth. In fact, I haven’t felt like this before."

Kanu, who hit the post with an early chance in the final of the FA Cup on Saturday, added: "I kept my head cool and I scored. You have to take your chance and that's what I did.
"Portsmouth are not one of the four big clubs. In fact, no one believed we were going to do it, but we did."

The leggy Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ captain looks set to remain at Fratton Park for an additional year, as he eyes to participate in the UEFA Cup.
"I hope the fans, Harry (Redknapp) and everyone at the club will remember this day and sign me for another contract," he said.
"I love the supporters and I want to be part of the team that will play in the UEFA Cup.
"That is football, you keep waiting and finally you have to make a decision. I have got a year contract already. I will be here for another year.
"Being in Europe means a lot to the players because most of them haven’t been there before or won medals."

Saturday’s victory is one of the high points in the chequered career for the 31-year-old Nigerian. The two-time African Player of the Year made his mark with Dutch side, Ajax, where he won the Champions League in 1995 and thereafter led Nigeria to win an Olympic gold in Atlanta in 1996. In the semi-final match at the Atlanta outing, Nigeria trailed Brazil 3–2 before Kanu scored a last-minute equalizer and went further to hit the golden goal in the fourth minute into the extra time to give Nigeria a stunning victory.

Shortly after the Atlanta feat, doctors discovered that Kanu had a heart problem, which caused him to pass under the surgeon’s knife. As he struggled to returned to top form, he moved to Inter Milan where he played only a dozen games over a period of three years before heading for Arsenal in 1999, where he enjoyed a resurgence, winning two FA Cups and two Premier League titles between 2002-04.

After the emergence of Thierry Henry in the Arsenal’s squad, Kanu was denied a new contract in the Arsene Wenger’s team, a factor that led to his move to West Bromwich Albion in 2004 before Portsmouth picked him up two years later on a free transfer. And Redknapp, the Portsmouth’s manager, has now received the ultimate reward for that move.
"When he missed the early one, I thought that maybe it was going to be one of those days," said Redknapp, who just won his first trophy in his 25 years of coaching.
"When we took him on a free transfer from West Brom, everyone thought we were mad. West Brom released him, but he has been great for us. Just great!" the happy manager added.

It is not yet over until it is finally over.

No body has the right to put a full stop to your life.

If they are trying to do that, turn that full stop to a coma,

and with that you can begin to write another chapter of your life.

May you fulfill God's counsel for your life!

He thinks good about you-Jeremiah 29:11

It is well!

John Ekundayo

Singapore SE Asia

LESSONS FROM THE FA CUP FINAL

Kanu lifting high the coveted FA Cup at re-built Webley Stadium, London


At Wembley Stadium, London, on Saturday, 17th May, 2008, the final match of the
coveted England FA was played. It was a gathering of mammoth spectators as it was an epic
event. The match was won by Portsmouth defeating Cardiff by a lone goal.
The man of the match was obviously Nwankwo Kanu of Nigeria who though missed to score
narrowly in the 15th minute of the game came back to score in the 27th minute of the
encounter having rushed forward to capitalize on a cross by John Utaka, another Nigerian
playing on the right flank. Kanu exploited the blunder of the goal keeper of Cardiff to tuck in
the only goal of the match!
I am not a footballer but I love watching football as I always learn a lot from the game. I mused
over the whole thing seeing Kanu again rebouncing to glory; someone who was once written
off having been attacked with heart disease, laid off from Arsenal, a club where he became
household name worldwide. He put his faith in God.......God MIRACULOUSLY healed him of
the heart disease and this made his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to be strong! One can
testify to this from the interview he granted immediately after the match, giving all the glory to
God! Even his compatriot, John Utaka, the architect of the lone goal wore a T-Shirt with the
insciption "IN GOD WE TRUST". I was so happy knowing this was televised live all over the
world!

Background:
Shortly, after God healed Kanu of his heart disease few years ago, he did something that
many could not fathom. He initiated Kanu Heart Foundation to primarily take care of
children suffering from heart diseases in Nigeria. He donated his money and invited many of
his friends who were world class footballers to play charity matches to raise money for these
children, which has been a success..............thereby giving succour to many children and
their parents. I always say I believe this is ONE THING making Kanu to still be playing for a
long time and shining. I believe these children and their parents have been praying for Kanu.
We can learn from this.

Conclusion:
He who remembers the poor will also be delivered, preserved and sustained even in evil times
says the Word of the LORD in Psalms 41. You can read the whole of the Psalms and get
inspired.

Bottomline:
Beloved, find someone around you, you can touch with your gracious giving..............it is
much more blessed to give than to receive.............Do not enjoy it alone! Life is about
sharing.......only a dead sea receives and refuses to give out; the reason no living thing is
inside it........dead sea is its name! The living gives and keeps receiving............and gives in
return................Genesis 8:22
Bless someone with something precious today friend!
You are blessed and a blessing to this generation!!

Pastor John M. O. Ekundayo
Cornerstone Community Church,
Singapore SE Asia

visit our church website: www.cscc.org.sg

CLEANER BECAME MAYOR IN ENGLAND

Where are you going?

Do you have vision for your life?

Where there is no vision, people cast off restraint says the Bible.

Read this and be challenged.

Click this link:

Guardian Newspapers


Know the purpose of your being here.

Pursue that purpose with passion.

Be disciplined and determined as you set your eyes on the goal.

Make you get there, fulfilling the purpose of God for your life.

It is well!

Pastor John M. O. Ekundayo
Singapore SE Asia

LESSONS FROM THE FA CUP FINAL

Kanu lifting high the coveted FA Cup at re-built Webley Stadium, London

At Wembley Stadium, London, on Saturday, 17th May, 2008, the final match of the

coveted England FA was played. It was a gathering of mammoth spectators as it was an epic

event. The match was won by Portsmouth defeating Cardiff by a lone goal.

The man of the match was obviously Nwankwo Kanu of Nigeria who though missed to score

narrowly in the 15th minute of the game came back to score in the 27th minute of the

encounter having rushed forward to capitalize on a cross by John Utaka, another Nigerian

playing on the right flank. Kanu exploited the blunder of the goal keeper of Cardiff to tuck in

the only goal of the match!

I am not a footballer but I love watching football as I always learn a lot from the game. I mused

over the whole thing seeing Kanu again rebouncing to glory; someone who was once written

off having been attacked with heart disease, laid off from Arsenal, a club where he became

household name worldwide. He put his faith in God.......God MIRACULOUSLY healed him of

the heart disease and this made his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to be strong! One can

testify to this from the interview he granted immediately after the match, giving all the glory to

God! Even his compatriot, John Utaka, the architect of the lone goal wore a T-Shirt with the

insciption "IN GOD WE TRUST". I was so happy knowing this was televised live all over the

world!

Background:

Shortly, after God healed Kanu of his heart disease few years ago, he did something that

many could not fathom. He initiated Kanu Heart Foundation to primarily take care of

children suffering from heart diseases in Nigeria. He donated his money and invited many of

his friends who were world class footballers to play charity matches to raise money for these

children, which has been a success..............thereby giving succour to many children and

their parents. I always say I believe this is ONE THING making Kanu to still be playing for a

long time and shining. I believe these children and their parents have been praying for Kanu.

We can learn from this.

Conclusion:

He who remembers the poor will also be delivered, preserved and sustained even in evil times

says the Word of the LORD in Psalms 41. You can read the whole of the Psalms and get

inspired.

Bottomline:

Beloved, find someone around you, you can touch with your gracious giving..............it is

much more blessed to give than to receive.............Do not enjoy it alone! Life is about

sharing.......only a dead sea receives and refuses to give out; the reason no living thing is

inside it........dead sea is its name! The living gives and keeps receiving............and gives in

return................Genesis 8:22

Bless someone with something precious today friend!

You are blessed and a blessing to this generation!!

Pastor John M. O. Ekundayo

Cornerstone Community Church,

Singapore SE Asia

visit our church website: www.cscc.org.sg

CLEANER BECAME MAYOR IN ENGLAND

Where are you going?

Do you have vision for your life?

Where there is no vision, people cast off restraint says the Bible.

Read this and be challenged.

Click this link:

Guardian Newspapers


Know the purpose of your being here.

Pursue that purpose with passion.

Be disciplined and determined as you set your eyes on the goal.

Make you get there, fulfilling the purpose of God for your life.

It is well!

Pastor John M. O. Ekundayo
Singapore SE Asia

THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH UNDER THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA

PICTURE: Bishop Francis Wale Oke, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Pastor Foluke Adeboye and Pastor E. A. Adeboye at dedication ceremony of Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan, Nigeria.

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Lagos State Chapter is organizing a 3-day seminar on the above topic. I sent in mine little contribution this morning in Singapore.

I am sharing with readers of this blog my views. I want to sincerely thank my brother, Brother Lekan Otufodunrin of Nigerian Christian news. You can get across to him through: nigeriachristiannews@yahoogroups.com

Please leave your comment on this blog page if you love Nigeria

“I will like to add my voice to that of others in this programme.
The Church of God in Nigeria had long played behind the scene that the church
is no more a critical body to consider in governmental policy and decision making.
It is high time, the church woke up and be really the salt and light that we are meant to be.
People within the church who have a leading to go to politics must be encouraged and supported by the leadership of the church. Their participation should be done with decorum brandishing the real christian ethics and values. It may take time but we will get there. I remember in those days in the 80's many christians were not in business but as there were more awareness, teachings along this line many are today CEO of organizations like banks, insurance companies, food & beverage production companies, etc who are sound and seasoned christians.

We must not just stay outside of the so-called 'murky water' of politics but we must participate
to truly institutionalize certain values and virtues that will transform the phase of politics in Nigeria from the 'murky water' syndrome to one that is 'clean and crystal clear'. It is possible and it can be done!

I and my family are living in Singapore, a city-state-nation that is virtually not producing anything and yet one of the richest in the world. I am a student of Organizational Leadership, I can say without mincing words quoting the word of a scholar: everything rises and falls on leadership. Some of us living outside the country are ashamed when confronted with certain realities and happenings in Nigeria vis-a-vis the great happenings in the church of Nigeria! The barrage of questions are: Why is so much corruption in Nigeria? Why is so much killings in Nigeria? Is Nigeria safe to do business?, etc. Until my Senior Pastor in Singapore, Pastor Yang Yoong travelled with me to Nigeria, he could not believe some things about Nigeria. On the 2nd of March this year, he was in RCCG Hqtrs when Pastor E.A. Adeboye was marking his birthday. He will be in Nigeria again in December this year where he will be speaking at the Holy Congress. I will be accompanying him as well on the trip. When I first met this man, he told me Nigeria is not safe! I debunked this immediately but he was not convinced. These are some of the reasons why the church must wake up and do something quickly and no more sit on the fence. The Church must teach her members through conferences and seminars more on Management, Leadership, Organization, Human Resources, Planning, Governance, Decision Making, Strategic Thinking & Planning, etc.

I have more to say, but time will not permit.

Thank you for your effort sir!”

Yours in His vineyard,
Pastor John M. O. Ekundayo
Cornerstone Community Church,
Singapore SE Asia

visit: www.pastorjohninsingapore.blogspot.com