HOW I SAVED KANU'S LIFE IN 1996! - INTER BOSS, Moratti

Massimo Moratti

Moratti Recalls Papilo's Heart Disease Case Following Tragic Weekend In Italy Inter Milan supremo Massimo Moratti has revealed how he saved former Super Eagles captain  Kanu Nwnakwo’s life after he was diagnosed with a heart related ailment when he signed  for the former Italian champions in 1996.

Speaking on the recent tragic incidence which saw Italy's former U-21 star, Piermario Morosini, slumped and died on the pitch over the weekend, Morassi recalled how he didn't hesistate to get Kanu the best of medical treatment after he arrived Milan following his incredible,eye-catching displays in the colours of Ajax Amsterdam  where no physician had highlighted the problems that stemmed from a cardiac malformation of the aortic valve.

Inter Doctors led by Piero Volpi had detected the abnormality in Kanu's heart condition and Moratti immediately decided to send him for a clinical heart surgery in one of the best hospitals in Cleveland, United States of America.The former Arsenal forward now refers to Moratti as his ‘second father’  for that singular gesture.  

And after about four hours in the operating room, Dr. Bruce Lytle who performed the operation declared that Kanu has been reborn as player and the gifted striker who captained Nigeria to win an Olympics soccer gold in Atlanta in 1996 before the incidence is still playing active soccer up till date.  

Morosini, who was playing for Serie B side Livorno suffered a suspected heart attack during the first half of the match against Pescara on Saturday. He collapsed suddenly and was treated on the pitch before being taken to hospital but was later pronounced dead.

It would be recalled that Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba cheated death last month after he collapsed midway during an FA Cup match between Bolton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspurs, albeit the English Doctors were able to resuscitate him after he was promounced clinically dead for 78 minutes.

Culled from Complete Sports