‘Let's Celebrate Okocha's Exit’...Joe Erico

naija4ever · Post by **naija4ever** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 9:02 am

Despite not playing any significant role in Super Eagles outing at the just concluded African Nations' Cup in Egypt, football administrators in the country have been urged to give Austin Jay Jay Okocha, the out-going captain of the national team a befitting send forth.
Joe Erico, a former assistant coach of the Super Eagles, insisted yesterday that Okocha should not be allowed to just slip out of our collective consciousness like several others who have served this country in the past.
"It will be a shame if we allow (Austin) Okocha to just walk away from the Super Eagles just like that. This young man has served this country well enough to consider giving him a befitting send off " observed the apostle of free flowing Brazilian football.
Erico told THISDAYSports that though the Bolton Wanderers' playmaker may have made a few slips in the course of serving Nigeria "that is not enough to just forget all the good things he has done for the Super Eagles."
According to the former Julius Berger coach, celebrating our football icons will impact positively on the younger generation, aspiring to be like the Okochas of this world.
"When the likes of Uche Okechukwu, Peter Rufai and several players who played for the Super Eagles ended their national team careers, many didn't deem it proper to give them good send forth celebrations. But elsewhere, these national heroes would have been celebrated. Why should Okocha also fall into the same group?" queried Erico.
He did not see anything wrong in Okocha quitting the stage now despite not winning the African Player of the Year Award.
"The reputation of Okocha in the global football circle is greater than winning the CAF award. Though it would have added value to his chest of honours in the round leather game, it, however, does not diminish his standing," concludes the ex-international.
Okocha last month announced his retirement from the national team after the Nations' Cup in Cairo.
He made his debut in the Super Eagles in 1993 shortly after the African Youth Championship in Mauritius. As the youngest member of the Nigerian team to the 1994 World Cup In USA, Okocha's sublime skills enchanted the football world, even though then technical adviser Clemens Westerhof used him sparingly.
But many also remembered his outing a few months earlier in North Africa where he turned on a captivating performance in the final of the 1994 Nations Cup in Tunisia against Zambia, which Nigeria won 2-1.
Okocha’s greatest achievement on the football field was helping Nigeria win Olympic gold at Atlanta’96.

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=40842

ibraheem100 · Post by **ibraheem100** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 10:23 am

I agree men, Nigeria needs to start recognising people who have helped glorify the country's name in sports. If our stars just keep coming and going so quietly, it sends a bad signal to the younger ones who are still playing.

People like Segun Odegbami, Rashidi Yekini, Stephen Keshi, Sunday Oliseh, Mutiu Adepoju, Christian Chukwu, Haruna Ilerika, Austin Okocha, Samuel Okwaraji (RIP), George Finidi, only to name a few, need to be specially recognised in what they have contributed to Nigerian soccer.

The NFL Hall of Fame is an example of what I am talking about.

heavyd · Post by **heavyd** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 1:05 pm

ibraheem100 wrote:I agree men, Nigeria needs to start recognising people who have helped glorify the country's name in sports. If our stars just keep coming and going so quietly, it sends a bad signal to the younger ones who are still playing.

People like Segun Odegbami, Rashidi Yekini, Stephen Keshi, Sunday Oliseh, Mutiu Adepoju, Christian Chukwu, Haruna Ilerika, Austin Okocha, Samuel Okwaraji (RIP), George Finidi, only to name a few, need to be specially recognised in what they have contributed to Nigerian soccer.

The NFL Hall of Fame is an example of what I am talking about.

My brother this only one of the numerous and uncountable failings of a visionless NFA. There is no reason why a special testimonial match shouldnt be organised by the NFA. The Hall of Fame has been on the cards for years. Just watch as they mess it all up again...

Chief Gabtigab · Post by **Chief Gabtigab** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 5:27 pm

I agree. He deserves a farewell for entertaining us all those years.

PapaK · Post by **PapaK** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 5:36 pm

Chief Gabtigab wrote:I agree. He deserves a farewell for entertaining us all those years.

and taking us to 3 WC campaign
scoring 15 goals (7 of them in nations cup)
helping his country to win ANC gold
helping his country to win Olympic gold (scoring twice)

yes he added entertainment to quality.

Chief Ogbunigwe · Post by **Chief Ogbunigwe** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 5:43 pm

PapaK wrote:
Chief Gabtigab wrote:I agree. He deserves a farewell for entertaining us all those years.
and taking us to 3 WC campaign
scoring 15 goals (7 of them in nations cup)
helping his country to win ANC gold
helping his country to win Olympic gold (scoring twice)

yes he added entertainment to quality.

he only "took" us to ONE WC with Pa Oni which ended in a disaster. he was NOT a starter in '94, so he didnt take us there. In '98, he was an integral part of a team of stars that included kanu, Ikpeba, Oliseh, Finidi, Adepoju, oruma, Amo, etc. he didnt "take" us there.

please, tell us how many goals and assists he notched at the 3 WCs. In order words, he entertained.

All that being said, he deserves a send off, though he is still our worst captain ever.

PapaK · Post by **PapaK** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 6:02 pm

Chief Ogbunigwe wrote:
PapaK wrote:
Chief Gabtigab wrote:I agree. He deserves a farewell for entertaining us all those years.
and taking us to 3 WC campaign
scoring 15 goals (7 of them in nations cup)
helping his country to win ANC gold
helping his country to win Olympic gold (scoring twice)

yes he added entertainment to quality.
he only "took" us to ONE WC with Pa Oni which ended in a disaster. he was NOT a starter in '94, so he didnt take us there. In '98, he was an integral part of a team of stars that included kanu, Ikpeba, Oliseh, Finidi, Adepoju, oruma, Amo, etc. he didnt "take" us there.

please, tell us how many goals and assists he notched at the 3 WCs. In order words, he entertained.

All that being said, he deserves a send off, though he is still our worst captain ever.

this is a huge step forward, that you at least agreed he 'took' us to the 02 world cup. For the 1994 event he 'cleared' the way to enable Yekini 'take' us there. For the 1998 event he shared the 'taking' responsibility with Amokachi and Amuneke and at the big dance proper he was the man. OK, he didnt score, but he did so well that FIFA technical committee (not that I actually respect them) selected him among the best 16 players of the championship. Please note that the selection of 16 has quota system (defenders, midfielders, attackers, etc.).
Sure, this guy must have given us a little more than entertainment. In addition to his MON, OON titles, he deserves a GCFR.

Talk IT · Post by **Talk IT** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 6:21 pm

When a good leader leaves, people cry.
But when a bad leader leaves, people celebrate.
Didn't we celebrate when Abacha left?
So I agree, lets celebrate okocha's departure.
We hope we never never never come back again.

akamoke · Post by **akamoke** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 6:25 pm

Talk IT wrote:When a good leader leaves, people cry.
But when a bad leader leaves, people celebrate.
Didn't we celebrate when Abacha left?
So I agree, lets celebrate okocha's departure.
We hope we never never never come back again.

Ol boy having Okocha and Abacha in the same sentence get as e be..

I know okocha fumbled wrt our WC campaign

Talk IT · Post by **Talk IT** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 6:50 pm

akamoke wrote:
Talk IT wrote:When a good leader leaves, people cry.
But when a bad leader leaves, people celebrate.
Didn't we celebrate when Abacha left?
So I agree, lets celebrate okocha's departure.
We hope we never never never come back again.
Ol boy having Okocha and Abacha in the same sentence get as e be..

I know okocha fumbled wrt our WC campaign

haba, where did I put both names in the same sentence?

Anyway sha, the man sucked our football dry without pity.

megapro · Post by **megapro** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 6:58 pm

Chief Ogbunigwe wrote:
PapaK wrote:
Chief Gabtigab wrote:I agree. He deserves a farewell for entertaining us all those years.
and taking us to 3 WC campaign
scoring 15 goals (7 of them in nations cup)
helping his country to win ANC gold
helping his country to win Olympic gold (scoring twice)

yes he added entertainment to quality.
he only "took" us to ONE WC with Pa Oni which ended in a disaster. he was NOT a starter in '94, so he didnt take us there. In '98, he was an integral part of a team of stars that included kanu, Ikpeba, Oliseh, Finidi, Adepoju, oruma, Amo, etc. he didnt "take" us there.

please, tell us how many goals and assists he notched at the 3 WCs. In order words, he entertained.

All that being said, he deserves a send off, though he is still our worst captain ever.

worst?,
I dont know oh.
but the ff captains failed to qualify SE for WC
sam opone
victor oduah
CCC,
Okocha.

megapro · Post by **megapro** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 7:04 pm

PapaK wrote:
Chief Ogbunigwe wrote:
PapaK wrote:
Chief Gabtigab wrote:I agree. He deserves a farewell for entertaining us all those years.
and taking us to 3 WC campaign
scoring 15 goals (7 of them in nations cup)
helping his country to win ANC gold
helping his country to win Olympic gold (scoring twice)

yes he added entertainment to quality.
he only "took" us to ONE WC with Pa Oni which ended in a disaster. he was NOT a starter in '94, so he didnt take us there. In '98, he was an integral part of a team of stars that included kanu, Ikpeba, Oliseh, Finidi, Adepoju, oruma, Amo, etc. he didnt "take" us there.

please, tell us how many goals and assists he notched at the 3 WCs. In order words, he entertained.

All that being said, he deserves a send off, though he is still our worst captain ever.
this is a huge step forward, that you at least agreed he 'took' us to the 02 world cup. For the 1994 event he 'cleared' the way to enable Yekini 'take' us there. For the 1998 event he shared the 'taking' responsibility with Amokachi and Amuneke and at the big dance proper he was the man. OK, he didnt score, but he did so well that FIFA technical committee (not that I actually respect them) selected him among the best 16 players of the championship. Please note that the selection of 16 has quota system (defenders, midfielders, attackers, etc.).
Sure, this guy must have given us a little more than entertainment. In addition to his MON, OON titles, he deserves a GCFR.

papak,
we have treated that WC 1998 FIFA 16 issue here:
JJ did not make the best 16 of the tournament. he was added among the 6 substitutes making him effectively in the FIFA 22.

Odas · Post by **Odas** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 7:05 pm

akamoke wrote: [Ol boy having Okocha and Abacha in the same sentence get as e be..

I know okocha fumbled wrt our WC campaign

I heard that the couches told him (Oga) not to come to some matches because they can win the opponents with Enugu Rangers football club. If that is ture, then - elm, ehhh, our failure to report in Germany is not his fault.

Chief Ogbunigwe · Post by **Chief Ogbunigwe** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 7:36 pm

megapro wrote:
PapaK wrote:
Chief Ogbunigwe wrote:
PapaK wrote:
Chief Gabtigab wrote:I agree. He deserves a farewell for entertaining us all those years.
and taking us to 3 WC campaign
scoring 15 goals (7 of them in nations cup)
helping his country to win ANC gold
helping his country to win Olympic gold (scoring twice)

yes he added entertainment to quality.
he only "took" us to ONE WC with Pa Oni which ended in a disaster. he was NOT a starter in '94, so he didnt take us there. In '98, he was an integral part of a team of stars that included kanu, Ikpeba, Oliseh, Finidi, Adepoju, oruma, Amo, etc. he didnt "take" us there.

please, tell us how many goals and assists he notched at the 3 WCs. In order words, he entertained.

All that being said, he deserves a send off, though he is still our worst captain ever.
this is a huge step forward, that you at least agreed he 'took' us to the 02 world cup. For the 1994 event he 'cleared' the way to enable Yekini 'take' us there. For the 1998 event he shared the 'taking' responsibility with Amokachi and Amuneke and at the big dance proper he was the man. OK, he didnt score, but he did so well that FIFA technical committee (not that I actually respect them) selected him among the best 16 players of the championship. Please note that the selection of 16 has quota system (defenders, midfielders, attackers, etc.).
Sure, this guy must have given us a little more than entertainment. In addition to his MON, OON titles, he deserves a GCFR.
papak,
we have treated that WC 1998 FIFA 16 issue here:
JJ did not make the best 16 of the tournament. he was added among the 6 substitutes making him effectively in the FIFA 22.

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!! Na so PapaK dey give Okocha phantom MOM awards after EVERY match, whether Okocha played or not.

Chief Ogbunigwe · Post by **Chief Ogbunigwe** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 7:38 pm

megapro wrote:
Chief Ogbunigwe wrote:
PapaK wrote:
Chief Gabtigab wrote:I agree. He deserves a farewell for entertaining us all those years.
and taking us to 3 WC campaign
scoring 15 goals (7 of them in nations cup)
helping his country to win ANC gold
helping his country to win Olympic gold (scoring twice)

yes he added entertainment to quality.
he only "took" us to ONE WC with Pa Oni which ended in a disaster. he was NOT a starter in '94, so he didnt take us there. In '98, he was an integral part of a team of stars that included kanu, Ikpeba, Oliseh, Finidi, Adepoju, oruma, Amo, etc. he didnt "take" us there.

please, tell us how many goals and assists he notched at the 3 WCs. In order words, he entertained.

All that being said, he deserves a send off, though he is still our worst captain ever.

worst?,
I dont know oh.
but the ff captains failed to qualify SE for WC
sam opone
victor oduah
CCC,
Okocha.

he is the worst Captain, not just for failing to qualify us. He connived with Pa Oni to backstab Amodu, Oliseh and Finidi, leading us to our worst WC appearance ever!

The real deal · Post by **The real deal** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 7:45 pm

Chief Ogbunigwe wrote:
megapro wrote:
Chief Ogbunigwe wrote:
PapaK wrote:
Chief Gabtigab wrote:I agree. He deserves a farewell for entertaining us all those years.
and taking us to 3 WC campaign
scoring 15 goals (7 of them in nations cup)
helping his country to win ANC gold
helping his country to win Olympic gold (scoring twice)

yes he added entertainment to quality.
he only "took" us to ONE WC with Pa Oni which ended in a disaster. he was NOT a starter in '94, so he didnt take us there. In '98, he was an integral part of a team of stars that included kanu, Ikpeba, Oliseh, Finidi, Adepoju, oruma, Amo, etc. he didnt "take" us there.

please, tell us how many goals and assists he notched at the 3 WCs. In order words, he entertained.

All that being said, he deserves a send off, though he is still our worst captain ever.

worst?,
I dont know oh.
but the ff captains failed to qualify SE for WC
sam opone
victor oduah
CCC,
Okocha.
he is the worst Captain, not just for failing to qualify us. He connived with Pa Oni to backstab Amodu, Oliseh and Finidi, leading us to our worst WC appearance ever!

If everybody were to adopt this posture, we will all be Villains. JJ isn't perfect but this Dude will be a reference point for some time to come. I doff my hat .

MI5 · Post by **MI5** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 10:59 am

One of the best players in Nigeria's futbol history.. He did his best... JJ is the man...

Talk IT · Post by **Talk IT** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 11:07 am

MI5 wrote:One of the best players in Nigeria's futbol history.. He did his best... JJ is the man...

One of the best dribblers no doubt.
Why do people mistaken the best dribbler for the best player?
Dribbling is just one aspect of the game. If another player emerge who we all agree to be the best shooter, would that make him the best player?

megapro · Post by **megapro** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 11:10 am

one of the best dribblers in world history.