Okocha had a successful career spanning almost two decades and won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994 and Olympic gold at Atlanta ’96.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Former Barcelona striker and president of The Cameroonian Football Federation, FECAFOOT, Samuel Eto’o, has said that Nigerian legend Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha was never given the desired recognition while playing football.
He made the disclosure while speaking with Onvoitout, insisting Okocha had done what former Barcelona forward Ronaldinho Gaúcho did, ten years before the Brazilian came on board.
Eto’o who expressed displeasure at the failure of football authorities to give the needed accolades to the Nigerian described overlooking him as “the injustice of world football”.
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The former African footballer of the year went on to say the treatment meted out to Okocha is a pattern when it comes to footballers of African origin.
He said, “It’s the injustice of world football.
“What we saw Ronaldinho do a few years ago, Jay-Jay (Okocha) had done 10 or 15 years before and he never had the recognition of others. And that’s what happens when it comes to Africa.”
Okocha mentored Ronaldinho while at Paris Saint-Germain but while the Brazilian went on to win two FIFA World Player of the Year awards and a Ballon d’Or, Okocha was overlooked.
He however, enjoyed a successful career spanning almost two decades and won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994 with the Super Eagles, as well as an Olympic gold at Atlanta ’96.
In 2004, the former Super Eagles midfielder made Pele’s list of 125 living legends of the sport, one of only four African players — alongside Abedi Pele, George Weah, and Roger Milla — to make the cut.
