Soccer-Portsmouth's 'King Kanu' celebrates his greatest day

LONDON, May 17 (Reuters) - Nwankwo Kanu's first taste of the FA Cup was to be cast as an unsporting villain who stained a proud tradition of sportsmanship but he left Wembley on Saturday hailing Portsmouth's win as the best moment of his life.

For a man who has graced the World Cup, won Olympic gold for his country Nigeria, was twice voted African player of the year, who has lifted the Champions League, UEFA Cup, English and Dutch league titles and two previous FA Cups, that was some claim.

"This is the best moment of my life," the 31-year-old told Sky Sports after his 37th-minute goal beat Cardiff City 1-0.

"I started the game and I won the Cup for Portsmouth. I have felt nothing like this."

Things were very different nine years ago when the Nigerian, who won the Champions League with Ajax Amsterdam in 1995, made his Arsenal debut in an FA Cup fifth-round game against Sheffield United.

Late in the game he collected a throw meant to return possession after the ball had been put out to allow an injured player to be treated. Instead he ran on and crossed for Marc Overmars to score what proved the winning goal.

Uproar ensued, Kanu was vilified and the game was replayed with Arsenal winning again before they eventually bowed out in a classic semi-final against Manchester United.

He had better experience of the competition three years later when he came on for the last 10 minutes of a 2-0 final win over Chelsea to complete a domestic double. He got another winner's medal as an unused substitute in 2003. Continued...
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