Happy Birthday - Kanu Nwankwo, Hasan Sas, Chris Iwelumo, Manuel Agogo, Stephen Hunt, Julien Faubert, Bastian Schweinsteiger

Kanu Nwankwo

Ex Niigerian International Kanu Nwankwo is 37 years today. Papillo as he is fondly called, started his career at Iwuayanwu Nationale, he was then sold to Ajax fc where he won three league titles in a row crowned with the UEFA champions league. He journeyed on to Inter Milan - where he had a less succesful spell after managing just 1 goal in 3 years for the Italian giants, he also had a heart surgery during that period.

He went on to join Arsenal in 1999, where he realised his full potentials as he won numerous trophies with the north London team capped by an unbeaten league campaign in his final season. In the summer of 2004, after his contract with the Gunners ended, he moved to West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer. Following the relegation of West Brom, Kanu moved to Portsmouth on another free transfer.. he had bitter sweet memories at Pompey as he won a 3rd Fa cup medal where he scored in the semi fial and final but things became sour when Portsmouth entered into Administration and Kanu was forced out of the club.

Some schools of thought believe Kanu is the most decorated African footballer of all time, but can they be wrong? with the 20 major accolades he gathered in his 20 years professional career?.

Club

Iwuanyanwu Nationale:

Nigerian Premier League (1): 1992–93

Ajax

Eredivisie (3): 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96

UEFA Champions League (1): 1994–95

UEFA Super Cup (1): 1995

Intercontinental Cup (1): 1995

Internazionale

UEFA Cup (1): 1997–98

Arsenal

Premier League (2): 2001–02, 2003–04

FA Cup (2): 2001–02, 2002–03

FA Community Shield (1): 1999

Portsmouth

FA Cup (1): 2007–08

Country

Nigeria

FIFA U-17 World Cup: 1993

Olympic Gold Medal: 1996

2000 African Cup of Nations: Runners-up

Individual

African Footballer of the Year: 1996, 1999

BBC African Footballer of the Year: 1997, 1999

Hasan Sas

Hasan Sas is also 37 today, Hes a Former Turkish footballer player who is currently the assistant manager of Galatasaray. Personally i remember this guy dazzling at the 2002 world cup where he was voted into the All-Star Team of the tournament.

Chris Iwelumo



Chris Iwelumo is 35 today. His father is Nigerian and his mother Scottish. He's often regarded as the journey man of football as he's played for 16 different clubs in 18 years. He currently plays for Scunthorpe United where he plays as a striker.

Manuel Junior Agogo



Manuel Junior Agogo is 34 today. He  is a retired Ghanaian professional footballer. He has spent most of his career in England, as well as spells in the United States, Egypt, Cyprus and most recently Scotland. Agogo made his name at the 2008 African cup of nations, where his header sent Nigeria crashing at the quarter finals.. he was Ghana's top scorer in the competition.

Stephen Hunt



Stephen Hunt is 32 today. He is an Irish international footballer who is currently without a club following the expiry of his contract at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Julien Faubert

Julin Faubert is 30 today. He is a French footballer who currently plays right back or midfielder for Bordeaux. He has also played for Real Madrid where He once missed training when he mistakenly thought he had the day off and was pictured asleep on the bench during Madrid's match against Villarreal.

Bastian Schweinsteiger



Bastian Schweinsteiger is 29 today.He is a German footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bundesliga club Bayern Munich and the German national team. Schweinsteiger is a one club man and his 10 years at his club has seen him win numerous trophies especially last season where he played an integral role in Bayern's unprecedented treble.