Despite a glittering career, there is a feeling - backed by an improbable record - that the former Arsenal man did not do himself justice with Nigeria
For his honours roll, which is considerable, perhaps the one thing which hinders Kanu’s placement at the very top of Nigeria’s football pantheon is his lack of proper success at senior international level.
While his heroics en route to what is without a doubt the country’s finest footballing moment are impossible to forget, there is a sizeable asterisk against that in many minds.
By virtue of being open only to squads of 23-year-olds and below, Olympic gold in 1996 is not typically considered a “Super Eagles” feat.