Kanu Plays First Game for West Brom
Wears jersey 25
By Tunde Sulaiman
Nigerian international Nwankwo Kanu made his debut for his new club over the weekend but was unable to break the deadlock, as West Bromwich Albion played goalless with Portuguese side Boavista. Kanu came on in the second half of the final tune up match for the Hawthorns before the Premiership season gets underway this weekend.
The friendly match played in front of over 7,000 spectators was one of the events to mark WBA's 125th anniversary.
Although Hawthorns' boss Gary Megson had initially hinted that the man he landed from Arsenal would not play in Saturday's game he, however, changed his mind and fielded him in the second half as he tried desperately to win his last friendly before the season kicks off before home fans.
Kanu tried manly to turn the fortunes of the club around but despite displaying a number of his usual flicks and feints he was unable to sway the match the Hawthorns way as the Portuguese side battled the newly promoted Premiership team to a stand still.
However, despite the result Megson still expects the player, fondly called Papillo, to be a big hit at West Brom.
"We all know what he (Kanu) can do, what is left for him now is to reproduce the same stuff here (West Brom) in front of new fans."
The lanky forward said afterwards: "It was nice to see the supporters and let them know that I am here - here to stay.
"Now I have to do something for them.
"They gave me a nice reception. To see everybody shouting your name makes you believe you are welcome in the team."
'Papilo's' new club begin their Premiership campaign at Blackburn Rovers and he says they will be giving everything to make a good start.
"We have to work hard to achieve that understanding. But the way we are carrying on means that it won't take long before that happens," he said.
"The first game is always important. We don't want to give away anything to any team." The 28-year-old Nigerian striker signed a three-year deal worth three million pounds after his contract with Arsenal expired in the summer.
The Super Eagles vice skipper will have the chance to prove that he did not head south just to collect his severance pay when his club kicks off the new campaign against 1995 champions Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park this Saturday.
Incidentally he may likely come up against Dwight Yorke - a player Megson tried very hard to sign over the summer to help partner Kanu up front.
Meanwhile, apparently in deference to the former Ajax star West Brom has allowed Kanu to pick the number 25 jersey - the same number he wore when he was with Premiership champions Arsenal. The Nationwide League Champions released the squad list last week.
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