Former Super Eagles’ captain, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha has confessed that he is still haunted by memories of how he and his colleagues failed to win the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil in the year 2000.
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Sports247.ng reports that, though the Eagles fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Cameroon in the final, they eventually lost the match via penalties under controversial circumstances.
The loss was due to 1995 African Footballer of The Year, Victor Nosa Ikpeba (The Prince of Monaco) putting his hands on his head in lamentation, though his kick had crossed the line, and the match referee adjudged the player as having failed to score.
That meant Nigeria failed to win AFCON for the third time in history and missed what could have been their second conquest on home soil, during a competition they co-hosted with Ghana.
Okocha has now taken his mind back to that agonising day, in which then skipper of the side, Sunday Oliseh wept bitterly, and ‘The Emperor,’ who slso rued his lack of enough silverware as a footballer, confessed that it is a recurring nightmare for him.
“Winning silver at the Nations Cup is a bad memory for me, because it happened at home and due to the way it happened,” said the former Fernebahce of Turkey and PSG of France midfield dazzler.
“I thought we should have won it at home, but it’s not something that is given out … you have to earn it.
“We felt a bit robbed, and I now wish we had VAR back then. Silver was a consolation, just as were three bronze medals that I won in the competition. But, anyway you look at it, the gold medal is the ultimate.”
Okocha, who also played for Eintracht Frankfurt of Germany as well as Bolton Wanderers and Hull City of England, further acknowledged that he did not win many trophies during his playing days.
He also could not win the coveted award for African Footballer of The Year, in spite of placing second twice and being crowned most valuable player at the 2004 Cup of Nations, but Jay Jay submitted that he is always philosophical about having missed out on both personal and team honours.
“I truly may not have won more trophies, but I admit that everybody’s destiny is different. Maybe mine was not meant to win trophies but, at least, I still gained recognition.
“The older I get, the more I accept my fate and understand that some things are not meant to be,” said Okocha, who was named BBC African Player of The Year 2004.
He then concluded with personal experiences that he is using to encourage and motivate players of the current generation in Nigeria’s national team.
“The most important thing for me is that I won hearts when I was playing. For me, that’s priceless.
“I tell myself that I did a job well done, because I’ve always believed that whatever your profession is, you must be committed and give it your best shot.
“If you get appreciated after that, it means you’ve done something good. That’s why I cherish it every time people appreciate the work that I have put in.
“Though I left the game many years ago, it’s a good thing that people still talk fondly shout me,” Okocha rounded off with a tone of nostalgia.
