When dem dey count legends for African football, Kanu Nwankwo dey always enter top list. But wetin many people no sabi be say this man no just play ball — e complete football.
Na only one Nigerian fit beat him chest say e don win all the major titles wey football fit offer, from club to country. No cap. Make we break am down.
From Owerri to the World
Kanu start him football journey for Imo State, Nigeria. As a young baller, e sharp well-well — tall like iroko, calm with ball, and footwork wey dey confuse defenders.
Na that early ginger push am enter national spotlight as part of the Golden Eaglets wey win the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
From that moment, the world don dey watch am.
Olympic Gold Medal — 1996
Na for Atlanta ’96 Olympic Games wey Kanu blow everybody mind. Nigeria bin dey almost lose quarter-final against Brazil, but Kanu score two heavy goals — one for extra time — wey give us comeback victory.
That Olympic run still remain one of Nigeria best football memories. Kanu lead the squad go all the way collect Gold Medal — Na the first African country wey do am.
Na from there dem begin call am “Papilo” – because e big pass e age, and e sabi big match.
UEFA Champions League — 1995
Before the Olympic wahala, Kanu don already collect Champions League medal with Ajax in 1995. That Ajax squad get big names like Patrick Kluivert, Edgar Davids and Clarence Seedorf, but even among them, Kanu stand out with him movement and hold-up play.
Only handful of Africans don ever win the UCL till today — but Papilo do am early, and clean.
English Premier League & FA Cups
Kanu waka enter Arsenal under Arsène Wenger, and he quickly become fan favorite. Even though e no be regular starter like Henry or Bergkamp, anytime e enter field, something go happen.
For Arsenal, e win two Premier League titles and two FA Cups, including that legendary Invincibles season wey Arsenal go unbeaten.
Before that, e don also win another FA Cup with Portsmouth — making him one of the few wey lift the trophy with two different clubs.
Heart Condition — But E No Stop Am
Kanu battle one rare heart condition early in him career — doctors almost write am off. But e do surgery, bounce back, and go on to play for more than a decade at top level. That kind comeback dey rare.
Later, e start the Kanu Heart Foundation, wey don help treat hundreds of kids wey get heart problem like am. No be only football e win — e win for life too.
So Wetin Be the Full Medal List?
Here’s the breakdown of the trophies wey only Papilo don collect:
- FIFA U-17 World Cup
- Olympic Gold Medal
- UEFA Champions League
- English Premier League
- FA Cup (multiple times)
- CAF African Footballer of the Year (twice)
No other Nigerian don reach this level combo. Even big big names like Okocha, Mikel, Yobo, or Osimhen no get this complete medal set.
Legacy Pass Stats
Kanu no be the type wey go dey shout or drag headlines, but him trophies dey talk for am. E represent humility, class, and grace. And till today, anywhere wey him waka, respect go follow am.
So next time person dey argue GOAT talk, just tell am:
“Only one Nigerian don collect all — Papilo. No dey argue with greatness.”
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TPB — Football gist wey dey street, no dey dull.