Super Jay Jay

By Victor Ugborgu
Sunday, May 18, 2003

Austin Jay Jay Okocha's skilful moves and ability to score a goal when it matters most earn him respect and honour in football

Nothing can be more fascinating to Nigerian football lovers than to watch Nigerian foreign-based players display outstanding skills during annual international matches as they did in the just-concluded English premiership. Out of the more than 20 African footballers that featured regularly for their respective clubs in Europe, 12 are Nigerians.

Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Super Eagles' captain and Bolton Wanderers' midfielder stands like a collossus among the lot. He is adjudged the best by sports analysts following his wonderful performance throughout the premiership. During the season, Okocha was seen as the pivot on which his club revolved. He was always handy to rescue his team when it mattered most. Since he moved from Paris Saint Germain, PSG of France, he has proved to be Bolton's playmaker.

Okocha's supremacy in the field of play came alive May 11, when he single- handedly saved his club from relegation. In the last but most crucial match between Bolton Wanderers and Middlesbrough FC, Okocha scored a second goal in the 21st minute that saved the bad situation his club faced since the beginning of the premiership season August last year.

In fact, many football fans will not forget in a hurry how Okocha reduced Mark Schwarzer, Middlesbrough's goalkeeper to a mere spectator in the freekick that earned his club the victory.

Bolton went to the last match of the season with 41 points and was between the devil and the deep blue sea. But Okocha's scintillating performance changed the situation in favour of his club.

There were other matches where Okocha exhibited his wonderful performances that saved Bolton from total disgrace. For instance, in the match against Manchester United in February, it was vintage Okocha that held their opponents to ransom. The match ended in a draw.

Again, April 19 was another remarkable day in the life and career of Okocha. His world class goal against West Ham United at the Reebok Stadium renewed the hope of his club in their bid to escape relegation. The stunning goal was later voted goal of the season by the organisers of the championship.

Okocha's wonder goal was earlier picked by the BBC as its "goal of the Weekend" of April 18-20. A week after the encounter with West Ham, Okocha came alive again and saved Bolton from total defeat by Arsenal FC. His club rose from 2-0 first half defeat to a 2-2 draw at the end of the match. Manchester United eventually won the premiership with 83 points. Arsenal came second with 78 points.

In appreciation of his performance, Okocha was named Bolton player of the year by his club. He also won the Golden Boot award for his seven goals in the league. He was also voted player of the year after beating Youri Djokaaeff, former world champion to a second place.

British press described Okocha as the only player among foreign players that created the greatest impact in the premiership. "Here was a talent that we knew about, but only saw in action once every four years when the World Cup came around. Like so many good African players, he seemed buried away in the French league and made little impact. But Sam Allardyce (the coach) took a gamble on him and it paid off. Okocha has added beauty to our game and his technique is second to none," the press said.

Many Nigerians have also commented on the performance of Okocha. Christian Chukwu, Super Eagles' chief coach said the outstanding performance of Okocha in the English premiership has opened the floodgate for other Nigerian players abroad to excel. "We thank God for answering our prayers. Okocha has proved the good player he is all through the season. With this achievement, we are sure of his commitment in our national team," Chukwu said.

Taiwo Ogunjobi, NFA, secretary-general, said Nigerians are proud to have a player like Okocha in the English team. He believes that Okocha's performance will benefit other players especially the home-based ones. "There are many more Okochas in Nigeria. We hope other English clubs will now look in the direction of our players because they can deliver the goods just as Okocha has proved at Bolton," he suggested.

Tony Nwauzor, a sports analyst told Newswatch that Okocha's achievement was due to hardwork, determination and total commitment to what he believed in. "After his initial disappointment in the season, Okocha metamorphosed into a reliable and most skilful player in his club. In fact, he is seen as the pillar that held the club as long as he played for them. And I will advise him not to quit the team now so that he will reap from the good works he has done for the team," he advised.

But it was a song of sorrow in Nwankwo Kanu's camp. Kanu, the Arsenal of England striker seemed to have reached the peak of his career. Kanu had a bad outing in the last season. He was more or less a bench warmer in the star-studded team. There are indications that he may be dropped by his club in the new season because of his poor performance. He started well at the beginning of the season. He scored six goals in a few matches before his performance declined which forced Arsene Wenger, team manager to bench him.

Kanu played badly in his club's 2-3 loss at Highbury to Leeds FC, May 4. Even in the 6-1 defeat Arsenal handed to Southampton, Kanu peformed below expectation. That might be the reason why Wenger preferred the likes of Thiery Henry, Dennis Bergkaamp, Robert Pires and Sylvain Wilford to play for him.

Sports analysts are of the view that Kanu should look for another club where his contribution would be recognised.

Nigerian footballers abroad who played regularly for their respective clubs in Europe

1. Austin Jay Jay Okocha - Bolton Wanderers, England.

2. Taribo West - Partizan, Belgrade

3. Azubuike Oliseh - Roosendad, Holland

4. Wilson Oruma - Sochaux, France

5. John Utaka - RC Lens, France

6. Victor Agali - Schalke, Germany

7. Sunday Oliseh - Bochaaux, Germany

8. Joseph Yobo - Everton, England

9. Christian Obodo - Pergia, Italy

10. Karibe Ojigwe - Bayernleverkkusen, Germany

11. Celestine Babayaro - Chelsea, England

12. Obafemi Martins - InterMilan, Italy

13. Nwankwo Kanu - Arsenal, England