Walsall goal machine Daniel Kanu on facing Mo Salah and idolising Wayne Rooney and Co
November 2023 - Walsall striker Daniel Kanu was introduced for his Sierra Leone debut and shared a pitch with Liverpool and Egypt legend Mohamed Salah.
Sierra Leone lost 2-0 courtesy of a pair of goals by former Aston Villa winger Trezeguet, but that did not taint what was a surreal experience for the then 19-year-old.
"It was incredible to share a pitch with a footballing great like that is what dreams are made of," Kanu smiled.
"Not many words can describe it. It was a real honour and it just reminded me of how I used to think about football when I was younger.
"I'd think that one day I will be playing alongside the best players in the world. So to actually have done that is crazy and I'm forever thankful to god for that.
"It's mad and I'm just praying that long may that continue."
Kanu has been capped five times for his country although he has not started on the international stage for 18 months.
Idolising Rooney, Drogba, Suarez and van Persie
But sharing a pitch with the greats of the game has always been the dream for Kanu, who grew up watching some of the greatest exponents of the art of goal scoring.
"For me, I have four that I really idolized: Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Luis Suarez and Didier Drogba," he revealed.
"They will always be my four. I only watched the Premier League growing up and they all had different things that I like.
"If I could add just a little bit of what they had into my game because that's what it's about.
"I just want to be a sponge and continuously learn. At the end of the day, it's only going to make me better so I need to be open to criticism."
In total, Suarez (585), Drogba (367), Rooney (366) and van Persie (324) found the net over 1,600 times during their illustrious careers at the highest echelons of European football.
Kanu is paving his own way and looks destined to ply his trade at a higher level beyond this season, after hitting the goal scoring trail at Walsall.
Studying Erling Haaland and Ollie Watkins
That has not stopped him taking tips from the best in the business and the Charlton Athletic loanee keeps a close eye on the exploits of Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland and Villa marksman Ollie Watkins.
"Erling Haaland is probably the best example in terms of in the 18-yard box. He's almost untouchable in those scenarios," he continued.
"Ollie Watkins is another because of his movement to run in behind. He does a lot of running and is always looking to stretch defences.
"Those are the two that I look at quite a lot. I want to be an animal in the box, but I also want to get away from defenders using my movement because that is very much my game."
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