Nwankwo Kanu - wikipedia Nwankwo Kanu Nwankwo Kanu Kanu in a friendly in 2017 Full name Nwankwo Kanu Date of birth ( 1976 - 08 - 01 ) 1 August 1976 ( age 41 ) Place of birth Owerri, Imo, Nigeria Height 1.97 m ( 6 ft 5 ⁄ in ) Playing position Forward Senior career * Years Team Apps ( Gls ) 1992 -- 1993 Iwuanyanwu Nationale 25 ( 15 ) 1993 -- 1996 Ajax 54 ( 25 ) 1996 -- 1999 Inter Milan 12 ( 1 ) 1999 -- 2004 Arsenal 119 ( 37 ) 2004 -- 2006 West Bromwich Albion 58 ( 9 ) 2006 -- 2012 Portsmouth 141 ( 20 ) Total 404 ( 108 ) National team 1993 Nigeria U17 6 ( 5 ) Nigeria U23 6 ( 3 ) 1994 -- 2011 Nigeria 87 ( 12 ) Honours Men 's Football Representing Nigeria Olympic Games 1996 Atlanta Team Competition * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only Nwankwo Kanu, OON ( born 1 August 1976 ), or simply Kanu, is a retired Nigerian footballer who played as a forward. He was a member of the Nigerian national team. Kanu is a native of Abia State Southeast Nigeria ; a member of the Igbo ethnic group ; more specifically Aro sub-group. His name, Nwankwo, means Child born on Nkwo market day in the Igbo language. Kanu went on to play for Nigerian team Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Dutch side Ajax, Inter Milan of Italy, and English clubs Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth. Kanu has won a UEFA Champions League medal, a UEFA Cup medal, three FA Cup Winners Medals and two African Player of the Year awards amongst others. He is also one of few players to have won the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, UEFA Cup and an Olympic Gold Medal. He made the third-most substitute appearances in Premier League history, appearing from the bench 118 times. He is regarded as one of the best players in African football history He is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. During October 2015, Kanu became Africa 's brand ambassador for digital TV operator StarTimes. Contents 1 Club career 1.1 Early career 1.2 Inter 1.3 Arsenal 1.4 West Bromwich Albion 1.5 Portsmouth 2 International career 3 Career statistics 3.1 Club 3.2 International 3.3 International goals 4 Honours 4.1 Club 4.2 International 5 References 6 External links Club career Early career Born in Owerri, Nigeria, Kanu began his career at Nigerian league club Federation Works, before moving to Iwuanyanwu Nationale. After a notable performance at the U-17 World Championships he was signed by Dutch Eredivisie AFC Ajax in 1993 for € 207,047. He made his Ajax debut the following year and went on to score 25 goals in 54 appearances. Kanu also came on as a sub in Ajax 's 1995 Champions League final win over AC Milan. Inter In 1996, Ajax sold Kanu to Serie A side Inter Milan for around $4.7 million. That summer he captained the Nigerian 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. Kanu was also named African Footballer of the Year for that year. However, soon after returning from the Olympics, Kanu underwent a medical examination at Inter, which revealed a serious heart defect ; he underwent surgery in November 1996 to replace an aortic valve and did not return to his club until April 1997. In interviews, Kanu frequently cites his faith as a Christian, 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. Arsenal In February 1999, after just twelve 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 right sport-wise and offered to re-play the match which was again won by Arsenal. 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. He quickly became known for his goalscoring prowess from the bench, scoring important goals against Sheffield Wednesday, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa as a substitute. 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. 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 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. 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. Along with other famous players, such as Henry and Robert Pirès, Kanu is a member of the `` Invincibles '', the Arsenal side that finished the 2003 -- 04 season of the Barclays 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. 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. He remains a popular figure at Arsenal, being applauded when he appears at the Emirates Stadium. West Bromwich Albion West Brom had just been promoted to the FA 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. 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. Nevertheless, the 2004 -- 05 season was ultimately a memorable one for West Brom, as they became the first club to avoid relegation from the Premier League after being bottom of the table at Christmas. 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, and the first time that they had come from behind to win a Premier League game. 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. Portsmouth 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. 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 -- 2007 Premier League season. He scored twice and missed a penalty. Kanu went on to finish the season as the top goalscorer for Portsmouth, with 12 goals altogether. He then signed a new one year deal with the club. Kanu in a match against A.C. Milan with Crouch, Kaboul, Little and Johnson. 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 2007 - 08 FA Cup winner 's medal. His first goal of the 2008 -- 09 season put Portsmouth 2 -- 0 up in their eventual 2 -- 2 UEFA Cup draw with Italian club A.C. Milan. He later scored the winning goal against Bolton Wanderers, which ensured Pompey 's mathematical safety. It was his only Premier League goal of 2008 -- 2009. He re-signed with Pompey in August 2010, with an eye on becoming a coach when he retired. Kanu signed a three - year deal and kept the number 27 shirt, but was not a regular starter throughout the course of the season and only managed two goals. 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 Football League One. To cut costs the Administrator hopes 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 On 13 July 2012, Kanu announced that he is going to sue Portsmouth, claiming up to £ 3m in periods of unpaid wages since 2006. 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. In April 2013 he confirmed that he had dropped the case and let the club off the £ 3 million they owed him. International career Kanu was a member of the Nigerian national team from 1994 to 2010, making his debut in 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 tournament in Japan and their subsequent 2 -- 1 victory over Ghana in the final. With five goals, he was second joint - scorer in the tournament with Peter Anosike and Manuel Neira, behind compatriot and Captain Wilson Oruma. As well as winning the Olympic gold in the football event at 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. Kanu participated in 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. Nigeria lost their group matches against Argentina and Greece, before a 2 -- 2 draw with South Korea ended their stay in the tournament. 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. Career statistics Club Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Nigeria League Nigerian FA Cup League Cup Africa Total 1992 -- 93 Iwuanyanwu Nationale Premier League 25 15 25 15 Netherlands League KNVB Cup League Cup Europe Total 1993 -- 94 Ajax Eredivisie 6 - - 1994 -- 95 18 10 7 26 12 1995 -- 96 30 13 - - 9 0 39 13 Italy League Coppa Italia League Cup Europe Total 1996 -- 97 Inter Milan Serie A 0 0 0 0 0 0 1997 -- 98 11 5 0 16 1998 -- 99 0 0 England League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total 1998 -- 99 Arsenal Premier League 12 6 5 - - - - 17 7 1999 - 00 31 12 0 15 49 16 2000 -- 01 27 0 - - 14 42 5 2001 -- 02 23 5 9 0 39 6 2002 -- 03 16 5 0 0 8 26 6 2003 -- 04 10 0 7 0 24 2004 -- 05 West Bromwich Albion 28 - - - - 30 2005 -- 06 25 5 0 - - 28 6 2006 -- 07 Portsmouth 36 10 - - - - 38 12 2007 -- 08 25 5 - - 31 7 2008 -- 09 17 0 0 5 25 2009 -- 10 23 0 - - 28 2010 -- 11 Championship 30 0 0 - - 32 2011 -- 12 10 0 0 0 - - 11 Total Nigeria 25 15 25 15 Netherlands 54 25 16 70 26 Italy 12 5 0 17 England 313 57 31 8 18 8 58 7 412 79 Career total 404 98 31 8 18 8 79 8 533 121 Stats accurate as at 20 : 16, 5 March 2012 Not including 1999 Charity Shield appearance and goal International As of 23 December 2011. Nigeria national team Year Apps Goals 0 1995 0 0 0 1998 5 1999 0 0 2000 10 6 2002 11 0 2003 7 0 2005 6 2006 8 0 2007 6 2008 6 0 2009 5 0 5 0 2011 0 Total 87 12 International goals Scores and results list Nigeria 's goal tally first. # Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 21 October 1995 Pakhtakor Markaziy Stadium, Tashkent Uzbekistan 3 -- 1 3 -- 2 1995 Afro - Asian Cup of Nations 5 June 1998 Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam Netherlands 1 -- 3 1 -- 5 Friendly 22 April 2000 Lagos National Stadium, Lagos Eritrea 4 -- 0 4 -- 0 2002 World Cup qualifier 27 January 2001 Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt Sudan 3 -- 0 3 -- 0 2002 World Cup qualifier 5 5 May 2001 Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt Liberia 1 -- 0 2 -- 0 2002 World Cup qualifier 6 25 May 2003 Independence Park, Kingston Jamaica 2 -- 2 2 -- 3 Friendly 7 7 June 2003 Abuja Stadium, Abuja Malawi 3 -- 1 4 -- 1 2004 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier 8 4 -- 1 9 26 March 2005 Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt Gabon 2 -- 0 2 -- 0 2006 World Cup qualifier 10 8 October 2005 Abuja Stadium, Abuja Zimbabwe 4 -- 1 5 -- 1 2006 World Cup qualifier 11 24 March 2007 MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta Uganda 1 -- 0 1 -- 0 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier 12 17 June 2007 Stade Général Seyni Kountché, Niamey Niger 1 -- 0 3 -- 1 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier Honours Club Iwuanyanwu Nationale Nigerian Premier League : 1992 -- 93 Ajax Eredivisie : 1993 -- 94, 1994 -- 95, 1995 -- 96 UEFA Champions League : 1994 -- 95 UEFA Super Cup : 1995 Intercontinental Cup : 1995 Inter Milan UEFA Cup : 1997 -- 98 Arsenal Premier League : 2001 -- 02, 2003 -- 04 FA Cup : 2001 -- 02, 2002 -- 03 FA Community Shield : 1999 Portsmouth FA Cup : 2007 -- 08 International Nigeria Youth FIFA U-17 World Cup : 1993 Olympic Gold Medal : 1996 Nigeria Afro - Asian Cup of Nations : 1995 African Cup of Nations runner - up : 2000 Individual African Footballer of the Year : 1996, 1999 BBC African Footballer of the Year : 1997, 1999 IFFHS Legends References Jump up ^ Hugman, Barry J., ed. ( 2009 ). The PFA Footballers ' Who 's Who 2009 -- 10. Mainstream Publishing. p. 228. ISBN 978 - 1 - 84596 - 474 - 0. Jump up ^ `` Player Profile : Nwankwo Kanu ''. Premier League. Retrieved 31 January 2012. Jump up ^ `` Nwankwo Kanu Buries Mother Photos From The Burial Of Nwankwo Kanu 's Mother ''. www.nigerianmonitor.com. Retrieved 2018 - 05 - 14. Jump up ^ `` Semi-final success unites Nigeria ''. BBC News. 11 February 2000. Retrieved 2009 - 01 - 25. Two of the Super Eagles ' top international stars, Arsenal star Nwankwo Kanu and Paris St Germain 's Augustine ' Jay - Jay ' Okocha are Ibo. Jump up ^ `` Meaning of Nwankwo in Nigerian ''. Nigerian.name. 24 January 2008. Retrieved 11 January 2012. Jump up ^ `` Nwankwo Kanu ''. Eurosport.com. Jump up ^ `` Olympic Football Tournaments Seoul 1988 -- Men ''. FIFA. 3 August 1996. Jump up ^ `` All Time Player Records ''. Premiersoccerstats.com. 13 August 2010. Retrieved 11 January 2012. Jump up ^ `` The 50 Greatest African Players of All Time '', Bleacher Report.com Jump up ^ `` Kanu to tackle homeless problem ''. BBC Sport. 2 July 2008. Jump up ^ `` StarTimes appoints Kanu Nwankwo as brand ambassador ''. Goal.com. 30 October 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2017. Jump up ^ `` NWANKWO KANU AND THE LANGUID BRILLIANCE OF NIGERIA 'S MOST CELEBRATED FOOTBALLER ''. These Football Times.co. Jump up ^ `` GOLD ''. Dream Team FC.com. Jump up ^ Wilson, Jeremy ( 30 October 2006 ). `` Portsmouth thrive on power of prayer and goals from born - again Kanu ''. The Guardian. Retrieved 2008 - 03 - 11. Jump up ^ Okeleji, Oluwashina ( 2 July 2008 ). `` BBC SPORT Football African Kanu to tackle homeless problem ''. BBC News. Retrieved 2012 - 12 - 01. Jump up ^ `` Sport-wise it 's not right ''. New Straits Times. 15 February 1999. Retrieved 2012 - 12 - 01. Jump up ^ Shaw, Phil ( 24 February 1999 ). `` Football : Overmars seals action replay -- Sport ''. The Independent. Retrieved 2012 - 12 - 01. Jump up ^ `` Kanu 's cup delight ''. BBC.co.uk. Jump up ^ `` Arsenal 3 - 0 Sheffield Wednesday ''. Sky Sports.com. Jump up ^ `` Tottenham 1 - 3 Arsenal ''. Sky Sports.com. Jump up ^ `` Arsenal 1 - 0 Aston Villa ''. 11v11.com. Jump up ^ `` VIDEO : ARSENAL DESIGN XMAS KEYRING FROM KANU NWANKWO 'S SHIRT ''. Chronicle.ng. Jump up ^ `` Arsenal reject Kanu bid ''. BBC Sport. 15 August 2001. Retrieved 24 August 2011. Jump up ^ `` Games played by Nwankwo Kanu in 2003 / 2004 ''. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 November 2013. Jump up ^ `` Gunners ' Greatest Players -- 13. Kanu ''. Arsenal.com. 9 July 2008. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. Jump up ^ `` Bergkamp bids farewell ''. The Guardian.com. Jump up ^ `` Pictures : Dennis Bergkamp 's testimonial ''. Arsenal.com. Jump up ^ `` A salute to Kanu, mercurial genius and ultimate Arsenal cult hero ''. Planet Football.com. Jump up ^ P. bacon, Chris ( 17 October 2005 ). `` Injury - ravaged Arsenal losing sight of leaders ''. The Independent. Jump up ^ `` WBA vs Arsenal ''. Official Albion website. 15 October 2005. Retrieved 2007 - 08 - 10. Jump up ^ `` Portsmouth complete Kanu signing ''. BBC Sport. 17 August 2006. Retrieved 2007 - 08 - 10. Jump up ^ `` Middlesbrough 0 - 4 Portsmouth ''. BBC.co.uk. Jump up ^ `` Kanu signs one - year Pompey deal ''. BBC.co.uk. Jump up ^ `` West Brom 0 - 1 Portsmouth ''. BBC.co.uk. Jump up ^ `` FA Cup final : Kanu punishes Cardiff to win Cup ''. Telegraph.co.uk. Jump up ^ Kanu to be coach ( MTNfootball.com ) Archived 1 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine... Africanfootball.mtnfootball.com ( 28 August 2010 ). Retrieved on 2012 - 01 - 11. Jump up ^ Pompey sign Kanu and Rocha Archived 13 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine... Portsmouthfc.co.uk. Retrieved on 2012 - 01 - 11. Jump up ^ `` Nwankwo Kanu and Aaron Mokoena set for Portsmouth exit ''. BBC Sport. 9 July 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2012. Jump up ^ `` Kanu set to sue Pompey ''. The Sun. 13 July 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2012. Jump up ^ `` Kanu 's Portsmouth exit buoys administrator Trevor Birch ''. BBC Sport. 30 July 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2012. Jump up ^ Football, Mirror ( 2013 - 04 - 02 ). `` Kanu believe it ! Arsenal legend reveals he wrote off £ 3m from Portsmouth when he retired ''. mirror. Retrieved 2018 - 05 - 14. Jump up ^ Olympic Football Tournaments Atlanta 1996 -- Men. Nigeria -- Argentina. Fifa.com Report. 3 August 1996. Retrieved on 2012 - 01 - 11. Jump up ^ Okeleji, Oluwashina ( 24 June 2010 ). `` World Cup 2010 : Kanu calls time on Nigeria career ''. BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 2010 - 06 - 30. Jump up ^ `` Nwankwo Kanu Career Stats ''. Soccerbase. 5 March 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2012. Jump up ^ `` Nwankwo Kanu ''. National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack - Zimmerman. Retrieved 5 March 2012. Jump up ^ Nwankwo Kanu -- International Appearances. RSSSF. Retrieved on 2012 - 01 - 11. ^ Jump up to : `` Nwankwo Kanu - Career Honours ''. Soccerway. Jump up ^ `` Kanu : Overview ''. Premier League. Retrieved 17 April 2018. ^ Jump up to : `` Nwankwo Kanu Net Worth ''. The Richest. Jump up ^ `` IFFHS announce the 48 football legend players ''. IFFHS. 25 January 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2016. External links Podcast Interview at Soccerhene.com Nwankwo Kanu at Soccerbase Nwankwo Kanu at National-Football-Teams.com Kanu Heart Foundation, a charity founded by Kanu to help African children with heart problems. Awards AFC Ajax Talent of the Year ( Marco van Basten Award ) 1994 : Oulida 1995 : Kanu 1996 : Wooter 1997 : Melchiot 1998 : McCarthy 1999 : Knopper 2000 : Chivu 2001 : Van der Vaart 2002 : Maxwell 2003 : Pienaar 2004 : Mitea 2005 : Maduro 2006 : Emanuelson & Vermaelen 2007 : Babel 2008 : Vertonghen 2009 : Van der Wiel 2010 : Alderweireld 2011 : Eriksen 2012 : Van Rhijn 2013 : Fischer 2014 : Klaassen 2015 : El Ghazi 2016 : Bazoer 2017 : Dolberg 2018 : De Ligt African Footballer of the Year France Football award 1970 : Keïta 1971 : Sunday 1972 : Souleymane 1973 : Bwanga 1974 : Moukila 1975 : Faras 1976 : Milla 1977 : Dhiab 1978 : Abdul Razak 1979 : N'Kono 1980 : Manga - Onguéné 1981 : Belloumi 1982 : N'Kono 1983 : El Khatib 1984 : Abega 1985 : Timoumi 1986 : Zaki 1987 : Madjer 1988 : Bwalya 1989 : Weah 1990 : Milla 1991 : Abedi Pele 1992 : Abedi Pele 1993 : Abedi Pele 1994 : Weah CAF award 1992 : Abedi Pele 1993 : Yekini 1994 : Amunike 1995 : Weah 1996 : Kanu 1997 : Ikpeba 1998 : Hadji 1999 : Kanu 2000 : M'Boma 2001 : Diouf 2002 : Diouf 2003 : Eto'o 2004 : Eto'o 2005 : Eto'o 2006 : Drogba 2007 : Kanouté 2008 : Adebayor 2009 : Drogba 2010 : Eto'o 2011 : Touré 2012 : Touré 2013 : Touré 2014 : Touré 2015 : Aubameyang 2016 : Mahrez 2017 : Salah BBC African Footballer of the Year Sports award 1992 : Abedi Pele 1993 : Fredericks 1994 : Zambia † 1995 : Weah 1996 : Amuneke 1997 : Kanu 1998 : Gebrselassie 1999 : Kanu 2000 : M'Boma Football award 2001 : Kuffour 2002 : Diouf 2003 : Okocha 2004 : Okocha 2005 : Barakat 2006 : Essien 2007 : Adebayor 2008 : Aboutrika 2009 : Drogba 2010 : Gyan 2011 : Ayew 2012 : Katongo 2013 : Touré 2014 : Brahimi 2015 : Touré 2016 : Mahrez 2017 : Salah † In 1994, Zambian footballers were posthumous winners after their plane crash. Sporting positions Preceded by Jay - Jay Okocha Nigeria Captain 2006 -- 2010 Succeeded by Joseph Yobo Nigeria squads Nigeria men 's football squad -- 1996 Summer Olympics -- Gold Medalists 1 E. Babayaro 2 C. Babayaro 3 West 4 Kanu 5 Uche 6 Amunike 7 Babangida 8 Oruma 9 Fatusi 10 Okocha 11 Ikpeba 12 Obafemi 13 Lawal 14 Amokachi 15 Oliseh 16 Obiekwu 17 Oparaku 18 Joseph Coach : Bonfrere Nigeria squad -- 1998 FIFA World Cup 1 Rufai 2 Oparaku 3 Babayaro 4 Kanu 5 Uche ( c ) 6 West 7 Finidi 8 Adepoju 9 Yekini 10 Okocha 11 Lawal 12 W. Okpara 13 Babangida 14 Amokachi 15 Oliseh 16 Okafor 17 Eguavoen 18 Oruma 19 Iroha 20 Ikpeba 21 G. Okpara 22 Baruwa Coach : Milutinović Nigeria squad -- 2000 African Cup of Nations -- runners - up 1 Shorunmu 2 Okunowo 3 Babayaro 4 Kanu 5 Iyenemi 6 West 7 Finidi 8 Adepoju 9 Akpoborie 10 Okocha 11 Lawal 12 Egbo 13 Babangida 14 Amunike 15 Oliseh 16 Sodje 17 Aghahowa 18 Chukwu 19 Akwuegbu 20 Ikpeba 21 Okpara 22 Akanji Coach : Bonfrere Nigeria squad -- 2002 African Cup of Nations Third Place 1 Shorunmu 2 Yobo 3 Babayaro 4 Kanu 5 Okoronkwo 6 West 7 Finidi 8 Yakubu 9 Agali 10 Okocha 11 Lawal 12 Egbo 13 Babangida 14 Udeze 15 Oliseh 16 Oruma 17 Aghahowa 18 Ojigwe 19 Ejiofor 20 Ikpeba 21 Christopher 22 Akanji Coach : Amodu Nigeria squad -- 2002 FIFA World Cup 1 Shorunmu 2 Yobo 3 Babayaro 4 Kanu 5 Okoronkwo 6 West 7 Ikedia 8 Adepoju 9 Ogbeche 10 Okocha ( c ) 11 Lawal 12 Ejide 13 Afolabi 14 Udeze 15 Justice 16 Sodje 17 Aghahowa 18 Akwuegbu 19 Ejiofor 20 Obiorah 21 Utaka 22 Enyeama 23 Opabunmi Coach : Onigbinde Nigeria squad -- 2004 African Cup of Nations Third Place 1 Enyeama 2 Yobo 3 Babayaro 4 Kanu 5 Okoronkwo 6 Enakarhire 7 Utaka 8 Yakubu 9 Agali 10 Okocha 11 Lawal 12 Etafia 13 Ikedia 14 Olofinjana 15 Abbey 16 Udeze 17 Aghahowa 18 Orjinta 19 Ekong 20 Odemwingie 21 Ekwueme 22 Ejide Coach : Chukwu Nigeria squad -- 2006 Africa Cup of Nations Third Place 1 Enyeama 2 Yobo 3 Taiwo 4 Kanu 5 Odiah 6 Enakarhire 7 Utaka 8 Mikel 9 Martins 10 Okocha 11 Lawal 12 Ejide 13 Yussuf 14 Obinna 15 Obiefule 16 Oruma 17 Aghahowa 18 Obodo 19 Makinwa 20 Odemwingie 21 Nwaneri 22 Kaita 23 Aiyenugba Coach : Eguavoen Nigeria squad -- 2008 Africa Cup of Nations 1 Enyeama 2 Yobo 3 Taiwo 4 Kanu 5 Nwaneri 6 Shittu 7 Utaka 8 Yakubu 9 Martins 10 Mikel 11 Odemwingie 12 Ejide 13 Afolabi 14 Olofinjana 15 Uche 16 Etuhu 17 Makinwa 18 Obinna 19 Emeghara 20 Okonkwo 21 Eromoigbe 22 Apam 23 Aiyenugba Coach : Vogts Nigeria squad -- 2010 Africa Cup of Nations Third Place 1 Enyeama 2 Yobo 3 Taiwo 4 Kanu 5 Nwaneri 6 Shittu 7 Obasi 8 Yakubu 9 Martins 10 Mikel 11 Odemwingie 12 Ejide 13 Yussuf 14 Olofinjana 15 Kaita 16 Uche 17 Odiah 18 Obinna 19 Mohamed 20 Etuhu 21 Echiéjilé 22 Apam 23 Aiyenugba Coach : Amodu Nigeria squad -- 2010 FIFA World Cup 1 Enyeama 2 Yobo 3 Taiwo 4 Kanu ( c ) 5 Afolabi 6 Shittu 7 Utaka 8 Yakubu 9 Martins 10 Ideye 11 Odemwingie 12 Uche 13 Yussuf 14 Kaita 15 Haruna 16 Ejide 17 Odiah 18 Obinna 19 Obasi 20 Etuhu 21 Echiéjilé 22 Adeleye 23 Aiyenugba Coach : Lagerbäck Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nwankwo_Kanu&oldid=846575201 '' Categories : 1976 births Living people People from Owerri Nigerian footballers Association football forwards AFC Ajax players Inter Milan players Arsenal F.C. players West Bromwich Albion F.C. players Portsmouth F.C. players Eredivisie players Serie A players Heartland F.C. players Premier League players English Football League players Nigeria international footballers 1998 FIFA World Cup players 2002 FIFA World Cup players 2000 African Cup of Nations players 2002 African Cup of Nations players 2004 African Cup of Nations players 2006 Africa Cup of Nations players 2008 Africa Cup of Nations players 2010 Africa Cup of Nations players Olympic footballers of Nigeria Olympic gold medalists for Nigeria African Footballer of the Year winners Nigerian expatriate footballers Nigerian expatriates in the Netherlands Expatriate footballers in the Netherlands Nigerian expatriates in Italy Expatriate footballers in Italy Nigerian expatriates in England Expatriate footballers in England Igbo sportspeople Nigerian Christians 2010 FIFA World Cup players UNICEF people Olympic medalists in football Officers of the Order of the Niger Medalists at the 1996 Summer Olympics UEFA Champions League winning players UEFA Cup winning players Hidden categories : Webarchive template wayback links NFT template with ID same as Wikidata All articles lacking reliable references Articles lacking reliable references from July 2016 Use dmy dates from February 2013 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Български Bosanski Català Čeština Dansk Deutsch Español فارسی Français Galego 한국어 Hausa Bahasa Indonesia Italiano עברית Lietuvių Magyar മലയാളം मराठी Bahasa Melayu Монгол Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Norsk nynorsk Polski Português Русский Simple English Slovenščina Suomi Svenska Türkçe Українська Yorùbá 粵語 中文 29 more Edit links This page was last edited on 19 June 2018, at 16 : 19 ( UTC ). 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Question: how many times did nwankwo kanu won the african player of the year title
Answer: two