• Friday, March 29, 2024
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BusinessDay

In England, fans don’t watch many matches as MultiChoice is providing- Okocha

English newspaper, Daily Mail, once named Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha as the 11th Premier League’s most beautiful players to watch whilst adding his ‘swagger and style to Sam Allardyce’s industrious’ Bolton FC squad. Okocha recently on a Premier League Trophy Tour across Nigeria, courtesy of MultiChoice Nigeria spoke on the Nigerian league and why the EPL is rated the best league in the world.  Excerpts:

The Premier League trophy is currently touring Nigeria courtesy MultiChoice Nigeria and you are accompanying it, given your status as a Nigerian and Premier League legend. How do you feel?
I feel very privileged to be part of this trophy tour, thanks to MultiChoice Nigeria and DStv. I really feel very honoured and great because this is a rare moment. People don’t realise that it is only a few people that have the opportunity to lift this trophy. During my time in Bolton, I never had the opportunity, so for me, it is a special moment.
In 2002, Paris Saint-Germain splashed £10m to make you Africa’s most expensive player then. And four years down, you moved to Bolton FC on a free transfer? Why did you choose Bolton?
I joined Bolton in 2002 and I wanted to play in the Premier League and Bolton offered me that opportunity at that time, which was why I signed for the club.
You are perhaps the only Nigerian that has captained a Premier League side, could you provide some insights into some of the things you had to do to keep the boys on track and maintain harmony in the dressing room?
It’s all about you leading by example and making sure everyone is okay. You are like the first born of the family and you feel like you are the oldest and it comes with a huge responsibility so you have to find a way to ensure that everyone is in good spirit. You also have to lead by example and show good attitude towards training every day. It was a responsibility that I welcomed with both hands and I enjoyed every bit of it.
We have seen a drastic reduction in the number of Nigerian players plying their trade for top teams in the EPL. What do you think the problem is?
To be honest, we have failed to build on the foundation already laid and that can only come from our league back home. Even though is a bit better now, but we still have a long way to go in order to produce players that can compete at that level. It’s not rocket science, we just have to ensure we put a good structure in place that will enable our youths learn the basics to play for those big clubs.
One thing missing in your career was your inability to win the EPL trophy, how does that make you feel?
I have no regrets that I didn’t win the Premier League. I would have been regretting my time in the EPL if I had not lived my legacy. Some people are lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time, even without playing many games, they have won the trophy. The most important thing for me is the opportunity I had and I think I maximized my opportunity at Bolton in changing the mindset of the people from when I arrived to the time I left. Bolton was one of the relegation cubs when I got there but we took the club to another level and even had the opportunity to play for the first time in the Europa Cup. When I look at what I achieved at Bolton, I think I am happy about it. It was never in our agenda to go for the title.
You played in Turkey, Germany and in England. Why is the EPL the most popular league in the world?
Without any doubt, it is the publicity and the money that is in the EPL now is unbelievable. They have taken it to another level and it is a league where every player now wishes to play. It is also the most demanding league. The pace of the games in the EPL is something else and rightly for me, it is the best league in the world.
Can you remember the chant Bolton fans had for you? How did you feel every time you heard that chant? And do you miss hearing the chant?
It feels great and it is very encouraging that makes you feel that you are doing the right thing and being appreciated.
How did you feel when it all came to an end?

I knew it was going to end one day. What I emphasized on then was to make sure I enjoyed it as much as I could. Like I said before, it must end one day and I don’t really miss it that much because I have played my part and some things don’t last forever.

 

SuperSport’s Let’s Play initiative which is geared at getting children out of their homes to reduce the amount of obesity and develop an outdoor experience for young children, what is you take on this initiative?
It is a wonderful initiative. I believe kids these days are spoilt with computer games and fast foods, unlike our time that you practically have to walk to everywhere you are going to and on your way, you may branch somewhere and play five-aside etc. This is a really great initiative to get them out of their comfort zone to exercise and also to do what they love doing. Kids these days have great interest in football and it is good to give them that opportunity to come and play with legends that they look up to.
How do you feel about Nigeria’s qualification for Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup?
I am indeed very happy about it. We have been struggling for a while and for us to come out from that group, it shows that we are not too far from where we are supposed to be. I am delighted that they have qualified but at the same time, it is the time to challenge ourselves and believe that we are good enough not just to be partakers, but also to make an impact.
Isn’t it ironic that your nephew, Alex Iwobi scored the only goal that sealed qualification for the global football showpiece?
There are some things you cannot change, I never thought that it would happen but I am so glad that the young man is doing so well and also that he is not regretting the fact that I convinced him to play for Nigeria, so it has worked out well in both ways so I am delighted.
What advice do you have for the Super Eagles as they head to Russia?
Nothing is impossible. It’s all about staying focused and setting the right target for yourself and trust your commitment. It’s all about playing six or seven matches and with sacrifice and belief, you can play at least five games in the tournament and we will be talking about semi-finals.
How would you assess DStv and SuperSport’s contribution to developing the game of football in Nigeria, in view of its value offering of over 300 live games and this EPL Trophy Tour?
I think for football lovers, it’s like being in a dreamland; even in England they do not watch this many matches. So, it is a wonderful opportunity that has been given to us by DStv and I can only say thank you to them because fans have developed more interest in the game now courtesy of all these television stations, the EPL is booming because of TV rights and also I can only say kudos to DSTV.

 

Who is your favourite player in the Premier League right now?
At the moment, the person that impresses me the most is Kevin De Bruyne because of his vision, his unselfishness, and I think he is one of the reasons why Manchester City are tearing the other teams apart now.
What were your best and worst moments playing in the EPL?
My worst moment I would say was my first season because I did not realise how tough the EPL was and I did not realise early enough that I signed for a struggling team, but then at the end of the day I will say my greatest moment in EPL was the day that we survived relegation, we survived after the last game of the season.
What was the best advice you were ever given in the game?

It’s for me to believe in myself, believe in my ability, never let anybody bring me down and keep working hard because talent is not good enough, you have to work to earn whatever you want to achieve, so hard work is key.