Okocha eyes World Cup 2006

VINDAVE · Post by **VINDAVE** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 8:46 am

Okocha eyes World Cup 2006
By Clement Nwankpa Jnr,
Just back from Tunisia
AFTER winning all available individual honours at Tunisia 2004, Super Eagles' captain, Austin Okocha has no plans of retiring from international soccer soon.

Speaking to The Guardian in Tunisia, Okocha dismissed rumours that he had played in his last Nations Cup.

He said: "I think I am still playing well. I don't have plans of quitting, at least in the nearest future. As soon as I start feeling that my body can no longer sustain the rigours of both club and international football, I will not hesitate to leave".

One of the reasons that has necessitated Okocha still sticking to the Nigerian team is the abundance of promising young players coming through the ranks.

"We have a lot of young players coming up and they will need people like us around to direct them. I will hang on to serve as a guide for them as well as ensure that we build a new solid national team", he noted.

Does that mean that Okocha will still be available at the next Nations Cup and World Cup? The Guardian asked.

His reply: "Well, if my body can still carry me then, I will. I am enjoying the game now and if in the next two years,I still feel like this,why not?".

The Bolton captain observed that he enjoyed Tunisia 2004 more than his debut outing at Tunisia 94.

"Ten years ago,I was a very young player and I did not understand what it meant playing in the Nations cup.Now,I feel it all and I appreciate every bit of action I had here.I think I had a good time here",he added.

Meanwhile,chief coach,Christian Chukwu has hinged his plans of building a new national team on the presence of Okocha.

"After this tournament,our team will be stronger because the boys are in high spirit.I am also happy that my captain is still around.With him around,we will guide these young boys to the next level",Chukwu pointed out.

Ugbowo · Post by **Ugbowo** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 9:19 am

check

Dodo · Post by **Dodo** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 10:04 am

This is a good development

TD · Post by TD » Tue Feb 17, 2004 10:05 am

Na you biko, skippo.

Ayo Akinfe · Post by **Ayo Akinfe** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 11:05 am

P0hew! I just hope Clement Nwakpa did not make this up.

EagleGunner · Post by **EagleGunner** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 2:18 pm

Ayo Akinfe wrote:P0hew! I just hope Clement Nwakpa did not make this up.

Ayo,
I don't know if he made it up...BUT i can tell you that Jay Jay is definitely not retiring just yet....he's enjoying his new lease of life in the game. He's going to be around a while yet.

JuJuMan · Post by **JuJuMan** » Wed Feb 18, 2004 11:28 am

Oh God no! next thing will be that Kanu is "eyeing" it as well!

VINDAVE · Post by **VINDAVE** » Wed Feb 18, 2004 7:45 pm

JuJuMan wrote:Oh God no! next thing will be that Kanu is "eyeing" it as well!

AND WHAT IS BAD ABOUT THAT...

RudeBoy · Post by **RudeBoy** » Wed Feb 18, 2004 11:05 pm

Great news!

Blakes · Post by **Blakes** » Wed Feb 18, 2004 11:31 pm

it will only be bad news if by 2006 okocha's work rate drops to just about the same level as kanu....then we dead...then we will be playing with minus 2 and not just minus 1

marloski · Post by **marloski** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 12:52 am

I really hope he has it in 2 years time.

Mudi E · Post by **Mudi E** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 12:53 am

If he keeps in great shape and I know he will, he should be fine for 2006. No doubt!

Its a Goal · Post by **Its a Goal** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 1:05 am

This is not suprising. Okocha is having so much fun now and is has found an abundance of energy to play non-stop. I'm sure he still be playing this well, if not better, in 2 years time.

Post by **King Futcha** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 6:08 am

jeah that brah need to stay with ya'll team or else their will be problems.... he is like the ghostbuster of Nigerian Soccer

1naija · Post by **1naija** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 2:15 pm

Okocha should be man enough and keep to the promise he made 2 summers ago. Okocha should retire and save us the agony of another "near win" world cup. "Near Win" is when we nearly win every match, but actually end up losing or tying all of them. We don't want to win another "we were not disgraced" trophy. My starting line up for 2006 would be:

Enyema
Yobo
An improved Okoronkwo
Abbey
Udeze
Kanu (the over age player)
Lawal (a send off WC for scoring in the 98 WC)
JAG
Obodo/Olofinjana
Utaka
Osaze

Reserve
Ikedia
Aiyegbemi (after taking penicilin shots)
Enakarhire

realtrouble · Post by **realtrouble** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 2:23 pm

1Naija , you the yearn opak, Jay-Jay is the most complete SE player today, we just need to compliment his ability with a good DM and wing play