Against all odds: Grass-to-grace story of Falcons star Kanu

<p>Sometimes, humans are faced with challenges that seem insurmountable, but some have a remarkable ability to defy the odds and rise above their circumstances.</p>, <p>They use their strength, resilience and determination to overcome adversity and achieve success, even when the odds are against them.</p>, <p>Super Falcons striker Uchenna Kanu falls in this category of humans.</p>, <p>The fairytale story of Falcons at the ongoing 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand will be incomplete without Uchenna Kanu, the striker who plies her trade for Racing Louisville in the United States’ Women’s National Soccer League.</p>, <p>Kanu played all three group games Down Under as the Nigerians progressed to the knockout stage of the competition for the third time in their history unbeaten.</p>, <p>However, her role in the 3-2 comeback win against co-hosts Australia August 21 is still very fresh in the minds of the Nigerian football faithful.</p>, <p>Playing against the home fans, who vociferously rooted for their team at the packed Lang Park stadium in Brisbane, the Falcons fell behind, a minute into first half added time, courtesy of an Emily Louise van Egmond’s opener.</p>, <p>And cometh the hour, cometh the woman, as Kanu tapped in from close range to earn an equaliser five minutes later to ensure both teams returned to the locker room tied 1-1.</p>, <p>Two second half goals from veteran defender Ohale Osinachi and substitute Asisat Oshoala helped the Nigerians to a nail-biting 3-2 victory to spark rapturous celebrations among Nigerians back home and in the diaspora.</p>, <p>A soft-spoken, quiet, rather self-effacing, laid-back woman, Kanu approaches everything with a very relaxed attitude and that is often reflected in every aspect of her game.</p>, <p>The way she scored the equaliser against Australia perfectly expressed her character. It was relaxed and unhurried, just simply placing the ball into the corner of the net like it took no effort at all.</p>, <p>Yet, not many know that Kanu would not have had