Super Eagles legend Nwankwo Kanu built his legacy as one of Nigeria's greatest players on the back of these five trophies As far as Nigerian football is concerned, Nwankwo Kanu was more than a legend, more than just another footballer who made a name for himself in the global game. Kanu was one of a rare few footballing magicians, players whose careers were dedicated to winning titles, and whose mere presence seems to turn everything they touch into gold. From Owerri to North London, Kanu's career was a masterclass in clutch performances and gathering trophies, and it is no wonder that he retired as Nigeria’s most decorated player of all time. But which of Kanu’s numerous titles were the most important to his career? Let us take a walk through memory lane for five unforgettable moments that brought five trophies, that prove beyond doubt that Kanu wasn’t just great, he was golden. 5. 1993 U17 World Cup Before the big contracts, before the Champions League glory, and long before he lead Nigeria to Olympic triumph, a 17-year-old Kanu burst onto the global scene in Japan at the 1993 U17 World Cup. This was the moment the world caught its first glimpse of that signature coolness and the soft touches, that would eventually make Kanu a household name. Playing for Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets, Kanu at the heart of the team that became world champions. With five goals in the tournament, including a sensational hat-trick against Canada in the group stage, he established himself as the crown jewel in a star-studded Nigerian side that also included the likes of Celestine Babayaro and Wilson Oruma. What made Kanu’s performance stand out even more was his maturity for his age. Despite still being a teenager, Kanu played like a seasoned forward who had decades under his belt. Nigeria eventually won the tournament, lifting their second U17 World Cup title, and Kanu left Japan not just with a medal around his neck but with scouts across Europe frantically fighting to sign him to top clubs. 4. 2003/04 Premier League Title While Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp grabbed the headlines during Arsenal’s invincible campaign, Kanu, the super sub, often turned games when the stars weren’t aligning for the Gunners. By the 2003/04 season, Kanu was in his final chapter with the Gunners. Yet, even in a supporting role, his influence was felt deeply, helping Arsenal snatch points that might otherwise have slipped away. Whether he was coming off the bench to change the tempo or starting and creating space for others, Kanu’s unselfish brilliance was an understated, but key part of that unbeaten run. When Arsenal lifted the Premier League trophy without a single loss, Kanu became part of an elite footballing dynasty; The Invincibles. The Super Eagles star walked away from Arsenal that season as a champion and as a certified legend in North London. 3. 2008 FA Cup By 2008, after having already won a Champions League, an Olympic gold medal, and gone unbeaten in a league campaign, Kanu still has something to prove in English football. At the age of 32, with his best years supposedly behind him, he produced one of the most incredible footballing comebacks in FA Cup history, this time in the colors of Portsmouth. Portsmouth were underdogs in every sense of the word during that FA Cup campaign, but Kanu gave them belief. In the semi-final against West Bromwich Albion, Kanu popped up with the winner, and against Cardiff City at Wembley in the final, Kanu scored the only goal of the match, to win Pompey their first FA Cup title in 69 years. Even after all the success Kanu had seen in his lengthy career, he celebrated the FA Cup win with Portsmouth like it was his first. The Nigerian icon became the hero for a small club on a big stage, proving that even at the age of 32, and needing a wheelchair after the match, class really is permanent. 2. 1995 UEFA Champions League Back in 1995, the footballing world was beginning to take notice of a stylish Ajax side filled with youth, flair, and boundless talent. Somewhere in the heart of that team was a long-legged Nigerian teenager who played like a seasoned magician. Yes, it was Kanu, and just 18 years the boy from Owerri was about to make European history. In that season’s UEFA Champions League, Ajax went on a dream run. Their style of total football captivated audiences, and Kanu, playing primarily as a second striker or creative forward, fit in perfectly with their intricate system alongside the likes of Finidi George, Clarence Seedorf, and Patrick Kluivert. When Ajax faced the mighty AC Milan in the final, no one expected them to outplay the Italian giants. But they did, with Kanu playing the final as an early second half substitute. Ajax won 1-0 thanks to a late goal by Kluivert, but the team’s fluid performance, powered by its youthful core, is still remembered as one of the most iconic European nights of the '90s. By lifting the trophy, Kanu became the youngest player ever to win the UEFA Champions League after it was changed from the European Cup, a record that still stands today. 1. 1996 Olympic Gold There are underdog stories, and then there’s what Kanu and the Nigerian U23 team did at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Nigeria entered the tournament as outsiders, expected to make up the numbers against footballing powerhouses like Brazil and Argentina. But what unfolded became the stuff of legend. After navigating the group stage, Nigeria faced Brazil in the semifinals, with the Selecao team led by Ronaldo, Bebeto, and Rivaldo. By halftime, Nigeria was down 3-1, and while most teams would have crumbled, this one did not. They could not. Not with Kanu on the pitch. In the second half, Nigeria clawed back to 3-3, with Kanu scoring the all-important equaliser, and in extra time, he made sure the Dream Team would play in the Olympics final, picking up the ball inside the box, twisting two defenders into knots, and firing in the golden goal that sent Nigeria to the showpiece event. Against Argentina in the final, it was another come-from-behind masterclass and Nigeria triumphed 3-2, becoming the first African nation to win Olympic football gold. Once again, Kanu was at the heart of one of Nigeria’s biggest moments in football history, inspiring generations and making sure that his name would remain hallowed as one of Nigeria’s greatest players of all time.