Uchenna Kanu: Racing Louisville and Super Falcons star reveals ‘orange hawking’ days preceding football stardom

Super Falcons forward Uchenna Kanu has opened up about some of the challenges she had to surmount as a young kid in Nigeria before ascending to football stardom, Soccernet.ng reports.

Kanu’s rise to prominence began with her representation of Nigeria in the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Her senior debut for the Super Falcons came on April 8, 2019, in a friendly match against Canada, which ended in a 1-2 loss.

The 26-year-old football sensation has come a long way since those early days.

On June 16, 2023, she earned her place in the Nigerian squad for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, contributing significantly to the Super Falcons’ success.

The striker scored a crucial goal in the group stage, as Nigeria secured a 3-2 victory against hosts Australia.

However, it is Kanu’s humble beginnings that truly stand out.

In a candid post shared via her TikTok page, she shed light on her journey from selling everyday goods including oranges on the streets of Aba to becoming a football star.

Kanu recalled, “I used to sell oranges when I was younger. I would peel the oranges and put them in a pan, put it on top of my head, and walk around the streets of Aba, hawking them.

“And also, I hawked water. For Nigerians who would watch this video, I sold pure water and ice water.

“Also, I would go with my brother; he would hawk soda that’s Coca-Cola, Fanta, and Pepsi. Sometimes, we would be hawking in the market, and we would just see each other and then we would say, ‘Hey!’ We would laugh and then separate again.”

Uchenna Kanu continues to shine on the football field as a forward for the NWSL club Racing Louisville in the United States.