Black Stars Of Ghana winger Mohammed Kudus has identified Super Eagles legend Austin Jay Jay Okocha is a source of inspiration npflupdates.com reports.
Kudus was part of the Black Stars squad that qualified Ghana for the 2023 African Cup Of Nations (AFCON) tournament that will take place in Ivory Coast next year.
Also read: AFCON 2023: Nigeria With Victor Osimhen Is A Good Team – Drogba Warns Cote d’Ivoire
In a recent viral TikTok video, Kudus alongside his West Ham United teammates were captured as they take turn to identify ex footballers they’d have loved to play alongside.
And while his teammates were calling notables like Ronaldinho Gaucho, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo Nazario De Lima, the 23-year-old called out Jay Jay Okocha, ignoring notables Ghanaian names like Abedi Pele, Stephen Appiah.
Kudus talks about Okocha’s influence in his career
To backup his choice, the former Ajax Amsterdam forward, revealed he love players who has the ability to entertain their fans with their skills.
“I like players who can entertain the fans with their skills,” Kudus was quoted by Soccernet Nigeria.
“Okocha was one of those players.”
Speaking further, Kudus explained that Okocha who’s considered one of the best footballers of African extraction had unbelievable skills.
“He had unbelievable dribbling ability, could pass through the tightest spaces, and score amazing goals. He was a joy to watch.”
In his prime, Okocha enjoyed a brilliant club career, winning trophies with Turkey’s Fenerbahce and France’s Paris Saint Germain. He became Africa’s first celebrated players to play in the English Premier League with Bolton Wanderers.
In another story, Jose Peseiro has unveiled his 27-man squad for the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.
The full list:
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (0monia FC, Cyprus); Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United); Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel), Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba, Nigeria).
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahçe, Turkey); Jordan Torunarigha (KAA Gent, Belgium); William Ekong (PAOK FC, Greece); Semi Ajayi (WestBromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham). FC, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal), Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa, Turkey).
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England), Alex Lwobi (Fulham, England).
Also read: 2 Reasons Why Osimhen May Not Win CAF ‘Best Player’ Award – Expert
Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City,
England); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Term Moffi (Nice, France); Victor Boniface (Bayern Leverkusen, Germany), Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor, Turkey).
The players will start their camping in the United Arab Emirates, UAE, in less than two weeks.
