Nwankwo Kanu
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football biography Nwankwo Kanu Template:Small Template:Post-nominals (born 1 August 1976) is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a forward. He was a member of the Nigeria national team, and played for Nigerian club Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Dutch side Ajax, Inter Milan of Italy, and English clubs Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He is widely considered one of the greatest African footballers of all time.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
A member of the Arsenal 'Invincibles', he was named by the club as one of its greatest ever players.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He is one of the few Africans to win the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and an Olympic gold medal.
Kanu won a FIFA U-17 World Cup medal, a UEFA Champions League medal, a UEFA Cup medal, a UEFA Super Cup, an Intercontinental Cup, 3 Eredivisie titles, three FA Cup medals and two African Player of the Year awards amongst others. He is one of few players to have won the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, UEFA Cup and an Olympic gold medal.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As of April 2021, he made the ninth-most substitute appearances in Premier League history, appearing from the bench 118 times,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and is regarded as one of the best players in African football history.<ref name="50 Greatest African Players of All Time">Template:Citation</ref>
He is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and African brand ambassador for digital TV operator StarTimes.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He is also the owner of Kanu Sports TV, an Internet sports television company.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Club careerEdit
Early careerEdit
Born in Owerri, Imo State,<ref name=Hugman/> Kanu began his career at local side Federation Works before moving to Iwuanyanwu Nationale. After a notable performance in Nigeria's victorious U-17 World Championship campaign, he was signed by Dutch giants AFC Ajax in 1993 for an undisclosed fee.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He made his Ajax debut that year and went on to score 25 goals in 54 appearances. Kanu also came on as a sub in Ajax's 1995 UEFA Champions League final 1–0 win over AC Milan. The next year, Ajax reached the final again, but lost to Juventus on penalties. Kanu started and played the entirety of that match.<ref name="CL-finals"/>
Inter MilanEdit
In 1996, Ajax sold Kanu to Serie A side Inter Milan for around $4.7 million. That summer he captained the Nigeria national team that won gold at the Olympics, and scored two late goals in the semi-finals against powerhouses Brazil to overturn a 2–3 scoreline into a 4–3 win in extra time.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Kanu was also named African Footballer of the Year for that year.<ref name=Bio>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
However, soon after returning from the Olympics, Kanu underwent a medical examination at Inter, which revealed a serious heart defect, and it was believed by doctors that his career was over.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He underwent successful surgery in November to replace an aortic valve,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and did not return to his club until April 1997. In interviews, Kanu frequently cites his faith as a Christian,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and has often mentioned this trying time of his career as an occasion when he prayed to God. Kanu's experience also led to his founding the Kanu Heart Foundation, an organisation that helps predominantly young African children who suffer heart defects and whose work was expanded to provide aid for homeless children in 2008.<ref name="homeless">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
ArsenalEdit
In February 1999, after just twelve league games and one goal for Inter, Kanu was signed by Arsenal for approximately £4.15 million. He made his debut for Arsenal, against Sheffield United in the FA Cup. With the score 1–1 and ten minutes to go, the Sheffield United goalkeeper Alan Kelly kicked the ball out of touch so that treatment could be given to Lee Morris. When the ball was thrown back into play by Ray Parlour, although it was intended for Kelly, Kanu chased the throw-in down the right wing unchallenged and centered the ball for Marc Overmars, who scored to make the match 2–1. After the match, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger accepted that it was not correct sportsmanship and offered to re-play the match<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> which was again won by Arsenal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Despite the events overshadowing his debut, Kanu's career was quickly revived at Arsenal. He scored his first goal for the club in the next round of the cup against Derby County, coming off the bench to net the only goal of the game.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He quickly became known for his goal scoring prowess from the bench, scoring important goals against Sheffield Wednesday, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa as a substitute.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He became very popular among the fans for his two-fingered salute which started in 1999 against Middlesbrough – something that he later explained was based on the team's nickname, The Gunners.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Kanu was named African Footballer of the Year for the second time in 1999. In the 1999–2000 season he scored 17 times in 50 matches for the Gunners, including a hat-trick in fifteen minutes against Chelsea in October 1999 to turn a 2–0 deficit into a 3–2 victory. In August 2001, Arsenal rejected a bid from Fulham of around £7m for Kanu.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, Kanu's appearances for Arsenal gradually became less frequent, particularly after the emergence of Thierry Henry as Arsenal's first choice striker with Kanu being mainly used as a substitute. Kanu then won the 2003 FA Cup with Arsenal.<ref>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> Along with other famous players, such as Henry and Robert Pires, Kanu is a member of the "Invincibles", the Arsenal side that finished the 2003–04 season of the Premier League undefeated. He played 197 games for Arsenal, scoring 44 goals. In the summer of 2004, after his contract with Arsenal ended, he moved to West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer. In 2008, Kanu was voted 13th in the "Gunners' Greatest 50 Players" poll.<ref name="greatest50">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In the summer of 2006, Kanu played as a guest for Arsenal in Dennis Bergkamp's testimonial game, the first match to be played in Arsenal's new Emirates Stadium. The game was tied 1–1 when Kanu scored the winning goal, making him the third person to score in the stadium. At the end of the match, Kanu joined the rest of the Arsenal side in hoisting the retired Dutchman on their shoulders as fans gave him a standing ovation.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He remains a popular figure at Arsenal, being applauded when he appears at the Emirates Stadium.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> During his time with the club, he wore the number 25 shirt.<ref name="Players to Watch">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
West Bromwich AlbionEdit
West Bromwich Albion had just been promoted to the Premier League for the second time in the space of two years. Kanu started as a regular for the club, making his debut in a 1–1 draw away at Blackburn Rovers on 14 August 2004. He scored his first goal for Albion on 18 September 2004, an 88th-minute equalizer in a 1–1 home draw against Fulham.Template:Cn In a match against Middlesbrough on 14 November 2004, Kanu was guilty of an incredible miss in injury time, with Albion 2–1 down. Kanu had sent a low cross over the bar from a yard away from the goal line. Manager Bryan Robson was seen in TV footage mouthing the words "How did he miss that?", and Kanu's howler was crowned "Miss of the Season" by many media outlets in their end-of-season reviews.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Nevertheless, the 2004–05 season was ultimately a memorable one for West Bromwich Albion, as they became the first club to avoid relegation from the Premier League after being bottom of the table at Christmas.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
One of the most memorable games of the 2005–06 season for Kanu came with the visit of his former club Arsenal to The Hawthorns on 15 October 2005. Philippe Senderos put the visitors ahead in the 17th minute, but Kanu equalised shortly before half time. West Brom went on to win the match 2–1 with a spectacular strike from Darren Carter. It was their first home win over Arsenal since 1973,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and the first time that they had come from behind to win a Premier League game.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> But such highlights were rare for Albion that season, and the club was relegated at the end of 2005–06. Kanu's contract had expired, and he chose not to renew it. In his two years at The Hawthorns he made a total of 58 appearances – 16 of them as a substitute – and scored nine goals.Template:Cn
PortsmouthEdit
Kanu was a free agent following his departure from West Brom, and he signed for Portsmouth on a one-year deal shortly before the start of the 2006–07 season.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Pompey had undergone a revival in the second half of the previous campaign, following the return of Harry Redknapp as manager, avoiding relegation by four points after being in serious danger at the turn of the year. At the start of the 2006–07 season, they were undefeated in their first five games, during which they did not concede a single goal. Kanu made his debut for Portsmouth as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers on 19 August 2006, the opening day of the 2006–07 Premier League season. He scored twice and missed a penalty.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Kanu went on to finish the season as the top goal scorer for Portsmouth, with 12 goals altogether. He then signed a new one-year deal with the club.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In his second season at Portsmouth, Kanu scored in both the FA Cup 1–0 semi-final win against West Bromwich Albion and the 1–0 win in the final against Cardiff City, earning him a third FA Cup winner's medal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
His first goal of the 2008–09 season put Portsmouth 2–0 up in their eventual 2–2 UEFA Cup draw with Italian club AC Milan. He later scored the winning goal against Bolton Wanderers, which ensured Pompey's safety. It was his only Premier League goal of 2008–09. He re-signed with Pompey in August 2010, with an eye on becoming a coach when he retired.<ref>Kanu to be coach (MTNfootball.com) Template:Webarchive. Africanfootball.mtnfootball.com (28 August 2010). Retrieved on 11 January 2012.</ref> Kanu signed a three-year deal and kept the number 27 shirt,<ref>Pompey sign Kanu and Rocha Template:Webarchive. Portsmouthfc.co.uk. Retrieved on 11 January 2012.</ref> but was not a regular starter throughout the course of the season and only managed two goals.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
During the 2011–12 season, his playing time was reduced, appearing only from the bench. After the departure of Steve Cotterill, and the arrival of Michael Appleton, he was also removed from the bench, due to fitness and injury problems. By May 2012, aided by a point deduction for entering administration Portsmouth had found themselves in a relegation battle which eventually ended in them relegated to League One.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> To cut costs the Administrator hoped to reach agreement to terminate the contracts of Kanu along with six other players due to them being the highest-earning players at the club. On 9 July 2012, it was announced that Kanu and Aaron Mokoena were expected to leave the club after failing to attend the first day back at pre-season training.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Kanu threatened to sue Portsmouth for unpaid back wages.<ref name=mirror2013-04-02/> On 30 July, Kanu agreed to leave Portsmouth, but he reiterated that he was still in a dispute over the unpaid wages that the club owed him.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In April 2013 he confirmed that he had dropped the case and let the club off the £3 million he claimed he was owed.<ref name=mirror2013-04-02>Template:Cite news</ref>
International careerEdit
Kanu was a member of the Nigeria national team from 1994 to 2011, making his debut in a friendly against Sweden. Earlier on at the start of his career, Kanu was instrumental in Nigeria's overall success at the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Japan and their subsequent 2–1 victory over Ghana in the final. With five goals, he was the second joint-scorer in the tournament with Peter Anosike and Manuel Neira, behind compatriot and captain Wilson Oruma.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
As well as winning the Olympic gold in the football event at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, where he scored the winning goal in the 4–3 semi-final win over Brazil, his second goal of the match,<ref>Template:Usurped. Fifa.com Report. 3 August 1996. Retrieved on 11 January 2012.</ref> Kanu participated at the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups. On 24 June 2010, Kanu ended his international career following Nigeria's exit from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The Super Eagles lost their group matches against Argentina and Greece, before drawing 2–2 with South Korea.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He won 86 caps and scored 13 goals for his country and was the joint most capped Nigerian player of all-time alongside Muda Lawal, until Joseph Yobo surpassed both players in 2012, winning his 87th cap.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Despite being a striker, he wore the number 4 shirt for the national team.<ref name="Players to Watch"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2022, his status was further cemented when he was voted the best Nigerian football player of all time by the prominent Nigerian football site, BetwithMusa.com. This honour recognizes Kanu's significant contribution to Nigerian football and his enduring influence on generations of players.
Style of playEdit
Despite his physical strength, slender frame, and large stature of 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in), Kanu was a talented player, who was quick and elegant in possession, and who possessed an excellent touch on the ball and nimble footwork; he was also highly regarded in the media for his technical skills, dribbling ability, and close control, as well as his flair and use of feints, which made him an unpredictable player on the pitch. He was also an intelligent player, who possessed good vision and movement, as well as being a good passer, who had the ability to read the game and an eye for the final ball, which – along with his timing and finishing ability – allowed him both to score and create goals; however, he also lacked significant pace, and drew criticism at times in the media over his work-rate, "languid" playing style, and occasional tendency to miss easy goalscoring opportunities.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="graduate">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="all heart">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="how good were the Ajax team of Finidi and Kanu?">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Although he was often deployed as a striker,<ref name="treccani">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> his creativity also allowed him to operate in a more withdrawn attacking role behind or supporting the main striker, or even in an advanced playmaking role.<ref name="how good were the Ajax team of Finidi and Kanu?"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Although his height made him a strong presence in the air, he was more adept at scoring with his feet than with his head, despite his size, although he improved upon his aerial game in his later career.<ref name="graduate"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was also known for his determination and ability to hold-up the ball with his back to goal.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Moreover, his ability to score decisive goals when coming off the bench earned him a reputation as a "super sub" in the media during his time with Arsenal.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, despite being a gifted player, he was also known for being inconsistent,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and his congenital heart defect is thought to have had a negative impact on his career and fitness, although he was able to improve his stamina following corrective surgery through his training.<ref name="all heart"/><ref name="Arsene's anniversary"/><ref name="Fucina Ajax">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He is considered by pundits to be one of the greatest African players of all time,<ref name="50 Greatest African Players of All Time"/> and by some, as the greatest Nigerian player ever.<ref name="Fucina Ajax"/>
Personal lifeEdit
Kanu is a native of Abia State, southeast Nigeria,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and a member of the Aro sub-group of the Igbo ethnic group.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Nwankwo means "Child born on Nkwo market day" in the Igbo language.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Kanu's younger brother, Christopher, was also a footballer, who played as a defender;<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> he also has another younger brother, Ogbonna.<ref name="corrective heart surgery">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Kanu is a Christian.<ref name="all heart"/>
Kanu was born with a congenital heart defect, which impeded his aortic valve from closing properly; it was discovered and operated on in 1996. Although it was feared that he would not play again, and that it would affect his career, he made a full recovery.<ref name="all heart"/><ref name="Arsene's anniversary">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He undergoes an annual medical check-up for the condition. In March 2014, he successfully underwent corrective heart surgery once again, in the United States.<ref name="corrective heart surgery"/>
PhilanthropyEdit
Kanu's own experience with a congenital heart defect moved him to set up the "Kanu Heart Foundation" in 2000, a foundation which aims to tackle homelessness, and which also built five hospitals in Africa to treat children with undiagnosed heart disease and provide them surgery.<ref name="homeless"/><ref name="corrective heart surgery"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The Kanu Heart Foundation has spent about $4.2 million, an average of $10,000.00 per person, on surgeries outside Nigeria. Tackling homelessness in Africa, Kanu Heart Foundation has to date funded the construction of five hospitals across the continent to treat children with undiagnosed heart disease and provide them life-changing medical care.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Career statisticsEdit
ClubEdit
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Iwuanyanwu Nationale | 1992–93<ref>Template:NFT</ref> | Nigerian Premier League | 25 | 15 | – | 25 | 15 | ||||||||
| Ajax | 1993–94 | Eredivisie | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 6 | 2 | |||||
| 1994–95 | Eredivisie | 18 | 10 | 1 | 1 | – | 7Template:Efn | 1 | – | 26 | 12 | ||||
| 1995–96 | Eredivisie | 30 | 13 | 0 | 0 | – | 9Template:Efn | 0 | 3Template:Efn | 0 | 42 | 13 | |||
| Total | 54 | 25 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 74 | 27 | |||
| Inter Milan | 1996–97<ref name="wf">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
Serie A | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 1997–98<ref name="wf"/> | Serie A | 11 | 1 | 2 | 0 | – | 5Template:Efn | 0 | – | 18 | 1 | ||||
| 1998–99<ref name="wf"/> | Serie A | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 2 | 0 | ||||||
| Total | 12 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 1 | |||
| Arsenal | 1998–99<ref name="sb">Template:Soccerbase</ref> | Premier League | 12 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 17 | 7 | ||
| 1999–2000<ref name="sb"/> | Premier League | 31 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 15Template:Efn | 3 | 1Template:Efn | 1 | 50 | 17 | ||
| 2000–01<ref name="sb"/> | Premier League | 27 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14Template:Efn | 2 | – | 42 | 5 | |||
| 2001–02<ref name="sb"/> | Premier League | 23 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 9Template:Efn | 0 | – | 39 | 6 | |||
| 2002–03<ref name="sb"/> | Premier League | 16 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8Template:Efn | 1 | – | 26 | 6 | |||
| 2003–04<ref name="sb"/> | Premier League | 10 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 7Template:Efn | 0 | – | 24 | 3 | |||
| Total | 119 | 30 | 17 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 53 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 198 | 44 | |||
| West Bromwich Albion | 2004–05<ref name="sb"/> | Premier League | 28 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 30 | 3 | |||
| 2005–06<ref name="sb"/> | Premier League | 25 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | – | – | 28 | 6 | ||||
| Total | 53 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 58 | 9 | |||
| Portsmouth | 2006–07<ref name="sb"/> | Premier League | 36 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 38 | 12 | |||
| 2007–08<ref name="sb"/> | Premier League | 25 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | – | – | 31 | 7 | ||||
| 2008–09<ref name="sb"/> | Premier League | 17 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5Template:Efn | 1 | – | 25 | 2 | |||
| 2009–10<ref name="sb"/> | Premier League | 23 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | – | – | 28 | 4 | ||||
| 2010–11<ref name="sb"/> | Championship | 32 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 34 | 2 | ||||
| 2011–12<ref name="sb"/> | Championship | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 11 | 1 | ||||
| Total | 143 | 20 | 11 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 167 | 28 | |||
| Career total | 406 | 98 | 35 | 9 | 18 | 8 | 79 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 542 | 124 | |||
InternationalEdit
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | 1994 | 3 | 0 |
| 1995 | 2 | 1 | |
| 1996 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1997 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1998 | 5 | 1 | |
| 1999 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2000 | 10 | 1 | |
| 2001 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2002 | 11 | 0 | |
| 2003 | 4 | 3 | |
| 2004 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2005 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2006 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2007 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2008 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 86 | 12 | |
- Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Kanu goal.Template:Citation needed
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21 October 1995 | Pakhtakor Markaziy Stadium, Tashkent | Template:Fb | 3–1 | 3–2 | 1995 Afro-Asian Cup of Nations |
| 2 | 5 June 1998 | Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam | Template:Fb | 1–3 | 1–5 | Friendly |
| 3 | 22 April 2000 | Lagos National Stadium, Lagos | Template:Fb | 4–0 | 4–0 | 2002 World Cup qualifier |
| 4 | 27 January 2001 | Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt | Template:Fb | 3–0 | 3–0 | 2002 World Cup qualifier |
| 5 | 5 May 2001 | Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt | Template:Fb | 1–0 | 2–0 | 2002 World Cup qualifier |
| 6 | 25 May 2003 | Independence Park, Kingston | Template:Fb | 2–2 | 2–3 | Friendly |
| 7 | 7 June 2003 | Abuja Stadium, Abuja | Template:Fb | 3–1 | 4–1 | 2004 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier |
| 8 | 4–1 | |||||
| 9 | 26 March 2005 | Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt | Template:Fb | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2006 World Cup qualifier |
| 10 | 8 October 2005 | Abuja Stadium, Abuja | Template:Fb | 4–1 | 5–1 | 2006 World Cup qualifier |
| 11 | 24 March 2007 | MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta | Template:Fb | 1–0 | 1–0 | 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier |
| 12 | 17 June 2007 | Stade Général Seyni Kountché, Niamey | Template:Fb | 1–0 | 3–1 | 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier |
HonoursEdit
Iwuanyanwu Nationale
- Nigerian Premier League: 1992–93<ref name = "honours">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Ajax
- Eredivisie: 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96<ref name = "honours"/>
- UEFA Champions League: 1994–95;<ref name = "honours"/> runner-up: 1995–96<ref name="CL-finals">Template:Cite book</ref>
- UEFA Super Cup: 1995<ref name = "honours"/>
- Intercontinental Cup: 1995<ref name = "honours"/>
Inter Milan
Arsenal
- Premier League: 2001–02, 2003–04<ref name="PremProfile"/>
- FA Cup: 2001–02,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 2002–03;<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> runner-up: 2000–01<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- FA Charity Shield: 1999<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- UEFA Cup runner-up: 1999–2000<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Portsmouth
- FA Cup: 2007–08<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- FA Cup runner-up: 2009–10<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Nigeria U17
- FIFA U-17 World Championship: 1993<ref name = "honours"/>
Nigeria U23
- Summer Olympics: 1996<ref name = "honours"/>
Nigeria
- Afro-Asian Cup of Nations: 1995<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- African Cup of Nations runner-up: 2000<ref name="The Shot">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- African Cup of Nations Bronze: 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Individual
- Ajax Talent of the Year (Marco van Basten Award): 1994–95<ref name=talentawards>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- African Footballer of the Year: 1996, 1999<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- BBC African Footballer of the Year: 1997, 1999<ref name="bbc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- FA Cup Final Man of the Match: 2008<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- IFFHS Legends<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- IFFHS All-time Africa Men's Dream Team: 2021<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
ReferencesEdit
Further readingEdit
External linksEdit
Template:Sister project Template:Sister project
- Template:Usurped at Soccerhene.com
- Template:Soccerbase
- Template:NFT player
- Kanu Heart Foundation, a charity founded by Kanu to help African children with heart problems.