Super Eagles legend Austin Jay Jay Okocha has revealed two highly decorated African football legends he would’ve wanted to play alongside with in his career npflupdates.com reports.
Okocha was arguably Africa’s most skillful footballer that ever existed. In his active days, he was characterized by dribbling skills, long and short pass accuracy, shot-power and shot-accuracy, and also he was a free-kick specialist.
During an interview with Goal Africa, and was posted on X by Pulse Sports, Okocha highlighted the importance of having teammates who are always ready to do the dirty job. Those teammates will allow the more creative players to express themselves in the field, and bring passes that will lead to goals.
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“There are a few players like me who need somebody to do the dirty job for them,” Okocha said.
According to the former Hull City’s midfielder, it was a big pleasure playing alongside Sunday Oliseh, who is arguably the most combative midfielder of African extraction.
Okocha talked about players of rare abilities
“I would have loved to play with, and I did have the opportunity to play with [Sunday] Oliseh, who was known for doing most of the dirty work,” he said.
“I would have also loved to play with Michael Essien and Yaya Toure.”
Per Okocha’s statement, he would have preferred a partnership with former Best Player Yaya Toure. The former Rangers International midfielder described Yaya as a complete midfielder.
“For me, Yaya Toure was a complete midfield player, not just in an offensive sense.
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“He also pressed and did a lot of defensive work, although he didn’t tackle like Essien or even Oliseh,” he added.
In a related development, a former Super Eagles defender George Owus Abbey, has predicted Nigeria will not win the 2023 AFCON.
According to the 18-capped Super Eagles defender, the current crop of players in the team, are not strong enough to compete.
“We are patriotic as a country, we forget to check the present weather forecast,” Abbey stated.
Also read: Okocha Drops Exclusive Analysis About Super Eagles AFCON Group
“This current team is not as strong as our 2013 squad and in my opinion that team overachieved based on the team they were up against.
“Even if we magically produce a prime Vincent Enyeama and put him behind this team, I still wouldn’t back us to win the AFCON. I hope they prove me wrong but I doubt they will.”