Peter Drury picks Austin Okocha as his favorite Nigerian player to ever played in the English Premier League.
The famous commentator believes, the former Super Eagles Captain brought something different to English football and made his mark, despite playing for modest club.
“Jay Jay, he was wonderful, while his talent was extraordinary. He was at a relatively small Club, Bolton and he played with beautiful balance of football and also played with beautiful smiles. He was so good for the English football ” He told Nigeria Info.
Okocha signed for Bolton immediately after the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He helped the team avoid relegation in his first season.
The midfielder made much impact in his second season at the Club. He helped the Trotters qualify for the Europa League and led them to League Cup final.
He Captained the Club for three seasons and was nominated for PFA player of the year award.
Among the most memorable of his dazzling performances on the pitch was the dramatic 5-2 Carling Cup semi-final win over Aston Villa in January in 2004.
The midfielder’s free-kick taking skills were at their devastating best as the former PSG star netted two of the five goals that sank Villa, the second of which many rated as one of the goals of the season.
Be was named the BBC African Footballer of the Year for 2003 and was included in Brazilian legend Pele’s list of the 125 greatest footballers still alive.
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