KANU'S CROWNING MOMENT: ENYIMBA BOSS HONOURED AS PYRAMIDS CLAIM HISTORIC CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TRIUMPH

Cairo, Egypt – On a night of historic firsts and glittering triumphs in African football, one legendary figure stood tall amidst the floodlights, fireworks, and fervour of the 2025 CAF Champions League Final. It was not just Pyramids FC’s maiden coronation that captured the hearts of millions — but the stirring image of Nigerian icon Kanu 'Papilo' Nwankwo, carrying the newly minted Champions League trophy like a king bestowing glory upon a new dynasty.

As Pyramids of Egypt edged Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa 2-1 in a tightly contested showdown at the Cairo International Stadium, it was the presence of Enyimba FC Chairman and African football royalty, Ambassador Nwankwo Kanu, that lent the occasion a timeless aura. Honoured by CAF as the official trophy bearer for the final, Kanu’s role was more than ceremonial — it was symbolic.

The sight of the two-time African Footballer of the Year, a UEFA Champions League winner with Ajax, UEFA Cup champion with Inter Milan, and Premier League hero at Arsenal, emerging from the tunnel with the glittering new CAF Champions League trophy in hand, evoked roars of nostalgia, pride, and inspiration across the continent.

For Enyimba Football Club, whose golden history includes two CAF Champions League titles, the moment held deeper resonance. Here was their Chairman — a man who once conquered Europe’s grandest stages — now carrying the symbol of African club supremacy, embodying both legacy and leadership.

"This is not just about me," Kanu said with characteristic humility. "It's about showing every young African that greatness is possible — on the pitch and beyond it. From the streets of Owerri to Olympic gold in Atlanta, and now to leading Enyimba, the dream is always alive."

His presence was no coincidence. Under Kanu’s stewardship, Enyimba have repositioned themselves for continental resurgence — not just through footballing excellence but through holistic development, youth empowerment, and community engagement. CAF’s decision to honour Kanu in such a high-profile capacity underlines his evolving role as a statesman of African football.

As Pyramids lifted their first-ever CAF Champions League trophy, capping off a decade-long rise from domestic contenders to continental kings, it was Kanu who handed over the prize — a symbolic passing of the torch, from a generation of legends to the next wave of dreamers and achievers.

For many watching, the most powerful image of the night wasn’t just the victory celebration of Pyramids FC, but that of Kanu Papilo, Africa’s eternal No. 4, standing proud as an emblem of what football in Africa has been — and what it still can become.

From hero to helmsman, from legend to leader — Kanu’s legacy continues to lift African football to new heights.