Kan-U do it this time?

There is no debate about the status of Nwankwo Kanu as one of Nigeria and Africa's all time greatest players.

Amazingly the Nations Cup has been a tough battle ground for the five-star Kanu, who led Nigeria to an historic Olympic soccer gold medal triumph at Atlanta in 1996.

The two-times African Footballer of the year has failed to find the net in 24 African Nations Cup matches

The sight of a teary and inconsolable Kanu after Alioum Boukar guessed right to foil his spot kick in the nervy penalty shoot-out with Cameroon in the final match at Ghana-Nigeria 2000 in Lagos will remain evergreen.

However, not scoring in 24 Nations Cup matches is a log that beats the imagination, not the least for an attacker with a proven scoring record in mould of Kanu. But in spite of this, Kanu has often insisted that his lack of goals should not over ride the collective cause of the team which is to win matches and to be in position to challenge for the cup.

This thinking has an air logic to it considering the Eagles won 17 and only lost five matches involving Kanu who has a silver medal and three bronze medals from four Nations Cup appearances.

Very few fans will forget the joy the Portsmouth player brought to their hearts when his deft pass sent John Utaka on his way to scoring Nigeria?s second and ultimately winning goal against Cameroon at Tunisia 2004. Until that goal, Nigeria?s next door neighbour had consistently upstaged the Eagles at ?Africa?s World Cup?. And many will be willing to overlook his ?no goals? should he again do what he did at Atlanta?96 ? lead Nigeria to football glory!

The zeal of the Nigerian team which has made it one of the clear favourites at Ghana 2008 is that three of its three medals were hauled in succession from Mali 2002 through Egypt 2006.

Kanu will lead the Super Eagles in their chase of a third Nations Cup title at the 26th edition which kicks off in 12 days in Accra, Ghana.

There is no debate about the status of Nwankwo Kanu as one of Nigeria and Africa's all time greatest players.

Amazingly the Nations Cup has been a tough battle ground for the five-star Kanu, who led Nigeria to an historic Olympic soccer gold medal triumph at Atlanta in 1996.

The two-times African Footballer of the year has failed to find the net in 24 African Nations Cup matches

The sight of a teary and inconsolable Kanu after Alioum Boukar guessed right to foil his spot kick in the nervy penalty shoot-out with Cameroon in the final match at Ghana-Nigeria 2000 in Lagos will remain evergreen.

However, not scoring in 24 Nations Cup matches is a log that beats the imagination, not the least for an attacker with a proven scoring record in mould of Kanu. But in spite of this, Kanu has often insisted that his lack of goals should not over ride the collective cause of the team which is to win matches and to be in position to challenge for the cup.

This thinking has an air logic to it considering the Eagles won 17 and only lost five matches involving Kanu who has a silver medal and three bronze medals from four Nations Cup appearances.

Very few fans will forget the joy the Portsmouth player brought to their hearts when his deft pass sent John Utaka on his way to scoring Nigeria?s second and ultimately winning goal against Cameroon at Tunisia 2004. Until that goal, Nigeria?s next door neighbour had consistently upstaged the Eagles at ?Africa?s World Cup?. And many will be willing to overlook his ?no goals? should he again do what he did at Atlanta?96 ? lead Nigeria to football glory!

The zeal of the Nigerian team which has made it one of the clear favourites at Ghana 2008 is that three of its three medals were hauled in succession from Mali 2002 through Egypt 2006.

Kanu will lead the Super Eagles in their chase of a third Nations Cup title at the 26th edition which kicks off in 12 days in Accra, Ghana.