33·Legends

Finidi George vs Nwankwo Kanu

Nigeria against Nigeria. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.

FG

Finidi George

Nigeria · 1994–96 · RM

Almanac rating
88
Rank in Nigeria
#4 of 33
Caps
62 · 6 goals
Clubs
AFC Ajax, Real Betis Balompié, Ipswich Town

Against Greece on 30 June 1994 he dinked the ball over Christos Karkamanis, then dropped onto all fours, crawled towards the corner flag and cocked a leg like a dog marking its patch. Finidi started the whole of Ajax's 1995 European Cup final win over Milan, added the Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup that year, took three straight Eredivisie titles from 1994 and reached the 1996 final too, and won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria. Career record: 62 caps and 6 goals for Nigeria; club career at AFC Ajax, Real Betis Balompié, Ipswich Town.

vs
NK

Nwankwo Kanu

Nigeria · 1995–2008 · CAM

Almanac rating
90
Rank in Nigeria
#2 of 33
Caps
87 · 12 goals
Clubs
Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion, Portsmouth
Honours
Hall of Fame

Trailing Brazil 3-1 in the Atlanta semi-final on 31 July 1996, Kanu equalised in the last minute and then struck the golden goal four minutes into extra time to win it 4-3. He captained Nigeria to Olympic gold days later, won the 1995 Champions League and three Dutch titles with Ajax, two Premier Leagues and two FA Cups with Arsenal, scored Portsmouth's 2008 FA Cup final winner, and was African Footballer of the Year in 1996 and 1999. Career record: 87 caps and 12 goals for Nigeria; club career at Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion, Portsmouth; honours include Hall of Fame.

The verdict

The almanac puts Nwankwo Kanu ahead by 2 rating points, 90 against 88.

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