By Augustine Kalu on July 27, 2018

Former Super Eagles’ mercurial midfielder, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, has advised Nigerians to forget making a comparison of him and any other player in the national team saying it is disrespectful to the players they are comparing him to. He said instead of making such comparison, national team selectors and coaches should exploit the talents and uniqueness of individual players that are available to them.

Okocha reckoned that no two players are the same while exploiting other qualities of the players at their disposal.

“I think we have reached a stage where we should de-emphasize making comparison of players because there no two players that are same.

“I think we are all gifted in our own ways. There can never be another Amokachi or Kanu or whatever. “We just have to accept what we have and encourage them to do the best they can for the country. I don’t think it is fair comparing two players because you can never get two same players,” Okocha declared.

Okocha’s declaration is coming on the heels of constant lamentation by Nigerians that since he exited the national team, the Super Eagles have yet to get a replacement in his mode as the national team midfield yearns for visionary and creative player in his mode.

Some Nigerians have even gone to the extent of suggesting that he should return to the squad saying he still has a lot to offer the Super Eagles, but the Ogwashiukwu, Delta State born Eagles legend will not bulge to such insinuation saying that there is time for everything and his decision to retire from active football remains sacrosanct.

It is recalled that Okocha represented Nigeria in three World Cups during his illustrious career that span almost two decades. His exploit in 1998 FIFA World Cup will not be forgotten in a hurry as he distinguished himself in France which earned him an African transfer record in $17.5million transfer to Paris Saint Germaine, the first of such transfer record by an African player.

Okocha is currently the Chairman of Delta State Football Association and a nephew to Super Eagles’ and Arsenal attacking midfielder, Alex Iwobi. The former Bolton Wanderers captain started his football career with the Flying Antelope in the Coal City of Enugu in 1990 before he moved to Germany to play for Borussia Neunkirchen before he switched over to Eintracht Frankfurt in 1992.

•Photo shows Super Eagles’ mercurial midfielder, Austin Jay Jay Okocha

Source Daily Sports

Posted July 27, 2018

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