For a brief period on Saturday afternoon, Kanu’s mesmeric skill in turning past Glenn Loovens and Peter Enckelman, followed by one of the most astonishing misses of the season, seemed set to encapsulate the yin and yang of what has been a frustrating career but, fittingly given his strong Christian faith, he was offered a shot at redemption.

The Nigeria striker responded by scoring the type of ugly goal that has been so rare for a player of his sublime skill, though ironically it was similar to the scrappy finish that took Portsmouth to the final with a 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion last month. Typically for a family man, his first thoughts were for his three-year-old son, Sean, whom he had promised he would score a goal to win the FA Cup for Portsmouth.

“When I hit the post I remembered my son saying, ‘Dad, you’ve got to score for us and score for Pompey,’ ” Kanu said. “I wanted to do that for them [my family], but even when I missed I knew there was a lot of time to make amends. When I scored the goal you could see I was dancing because I remembered what they said to me. I want to go and party with them now. I was the hero in the semi-final even though I didn’t know what happened with the goal, and it’s happening again.”

Given such repeated acts of heroism, it is odd that Kanu is often viewed as an unfulfilled talent, a description that says more about the extent of his gifts rather than his achievements in a 15-year career at the highest level that began as a teenager with Ajax. By any measure Kanu has enjoyed extraordinary success and can claim to be the most highly decorated African Footballer, his trophy cabinet matching his imposing 6ft 5in frame.

Before joining Arsenal nine years ago the 31-year-old - given the lack of alternative evidence his official age must be accepted at face value – had already won the Champions League, Uefa Cup, an Olympic gold medal and three Dutch titles and he has since added two league championships and three FA Cups, giving him the widest collection of trophies in the Premier League. The Italian doctor who performed heart surgery on him in Milan 12 years ago can scarcely have done a better day’s work in his life.

For all these achievements, Kanu is self-aware enough to realise that his credentials have been repeatedly questioned, particularly when he left Highbury for West Bromwich Albion four years ago. After appearing for just nine minutes as a substitute in two FA Cup Final wins with Arsenal, his third triumph was the sweetest, with his beaming smile as he paraded on the pitch wearing a cap emblazoned with the word “King”, a gift from Sulley Muntari after the semi-final, providing the afternoon’s enduring image.

“I have to thank God,” Kanu said. “A lot of people always ask questions about me, but I keep coming out with the answers. This is talent. I have to work hard, but the talent is there. I didn’t disappoint myself, I didn’t disappoint anybody. To do this with two different clubs, to hit the jackpot with a hat-trick means a lot.

“It means a lot as it’s been 50 years since Portsmouth won a trophy, which is a long time. For us to win the FA Cup is a great achievement. When you play at Portsmouth nobody expects you to win a trophy. I didn’t believe I’d win a trophy at Portsmouth, but after finishing ninth last year and with quality players coming in, we started to believe in ourselves.”

Even Kanu’s self-belief was tested when his ageing limbs meant that he had to be pushed through the airport in a wheelchair after an away match against Middlesbrough last season, though it was soon restored as a result of the incredible man-management skills of Harry Redknapp. The Portsmouth manager believes that Kanu can carry on for at least another season, with the pair about to open talks about a contract extension, and the admiration is mutual.

“Harry is different,” Kanu said. “Everybody wants to play under him and he’s something special. Nobody knows how he does it. He brings the best out of players. He tells you what you want to hear, he tries to psyche you up and to give you all the belief until you’re the best. Then you will do anything for him.

“He knows what I can do and says, ‘King, go out and do your stuff, do your magic, you’re the best.’ When you hear instructions like this you really want to do something for him. Everybody wants to play for Harry.”

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