Kanu is a national icon in Nigeria, and the boyhood hero of many of his team-mates in the Super Eagles' World Cup squad.

His diminishing pace means he is likely to be used primarily as a substitute in South Africa and he usually takes up an attacking midfield role for his country when deployed, which will be unfamiliar to English onlookers.

However, fans of Arsenal, West Brom and Portsmouth will not need telling about the lanky striker's cool head and precise touch.

Now 33, Kanu will be one of the most decorated players at the World Cup. He has won the Champions League, UEFA Cup, Premier League, and FA Cup. He also has an Olympic gold medal, after inspiring his nation's victory in 1996.

Making his international debut in 1994, Kanu is closing in on Mudashiru Lawal's record of 86 Super Eagles caps. The tournament in South Africa this year will be the seventh major competition in which he has represented Nigeria, and third World Cup.

After a notable performance in the 1993 Under-17 World Championship, Kanu was plucked from Nigerian league football by Ajax.

His distinguished career later took him to Inter Milan, before Arsene Wenger took him to England in 1999.

A decade on, he will want to put a disappointing season at Portsmouth behind him with a strong tournament this summer.

Kanu is a face FIFA will be pleased to see playing in the first World Cup on African soil; he is a much-revered UNICEF ambassador and charitable figure throughout the continent.