Former Nigerian international, Austine Jay-Jay Okocha has criticized the Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro for his poor treatment of Maduka Okoye in the senior national team.
Recall that Okoye was not included the 25-man list that will represent Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
However, in an interview with BBC’s Osasu Obayiuwana, the former Bolton star stated that it was wrong for the Portuguese tactician to have judge Okoye with 2021 AFCON blunder in the round of 16.
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Although, the likes of Frank Uzoho, Stanley Nwabili and Olorunleke Ojo are the three goalkeepers named for the tournament, but then, Okocha has faulted Peseiro’s treatment of the Udinese goalkeeper.
“[Okoye] is the one keeper who has the type of training and football upbringing that we need in a goalkeeper in the national team. But he is excluded. It’s strange,” Okocha told BBC’s Osasu Obayiuwana.
“The way he was handled [after the Round of 16 game against Tunisia] talks about the quality of player management in the national team.”
14 Comments
Okocha, So glad that you told him the truth. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s first match on Sunday would end in a draw. And the coach would once again give excuses and that would make the NFF to start looking for an alternative. After that, they would realize that life is not about being corrupt. To get the best, you don’t have to be corrupt.
Okoye just wanted to go to the world cup since Nigeria did not go he is looking for excuses to stay away till next world cup, fans must criticise players that is normal, he can go back and join Germany team and stop wasting our time
You were right oo. Nigerian match ended in a draw. Shame to the coach.
How can you be serving the public and not have a thick skin or be able to laugh over some supposed “insults”? he should ask Okocha, Kanu, Baruwa, and even Enyeama. I don’t troll public figures, but all these players had a good dose of tongue-lashing on the Internet. Did they quit instantly? Wait till when you commit a major blunder and Italians remember you’re actually black, your complexion notwithstanding.
In that same Afcon 2019, fans criticized Iwobi, Awoniyi, Aina, Sadiq, etc. Even Musa has seen a garage of criticism lately yet he’s always still smiling in pictures from the camp.
Do you want NFF to come prostrate to you before you try out again? I was even thinking Mr Paseiro would even allow us to see you against Saudi Arabia or Mozambique. But no, he stuck with his bestie Uzoho for both matches and you wonder what was the purpose of the friendly when you’re still trying out Uzoho against Uzoho. Lol.
*barrage of criticisms*
Ighalo and his wife weren’t spared post-2018 World Cup. Rohr too.
Public figures should be less on social media to avoid depression and focus more on their craft. It’s the nature of social media sadly and it won’t be easy trying to regulate it.
Okocha has been misfiring in recent times,in as much as I do t like paseiro who is a terrible coach and the worst to coach the super Eagles,he has no blame in Okoye’s issue.he has invited him several times and Okoye kept turning down invitations,the last time he played in a friendly,he committed a howler,and ever since he hasn’t played for the Eagles again.pasiero did the right thing by leaving him out,we can’t have two calamity goal keepers in one team.okocha also recently said that he doesn’t watch the NPFL,thereby rubbishing our league that he ought to promote,he was made a sports commissioner in Delta State and he did a very bad job ,and became the worst in that state,I like Jay Jay as a footballer but he is getting it wrong these days is
I remember Peseiro at some point invited Okoye which he turned down. So what is Okocha saying. SE DONT NEED ALL THESE PAID DISTRACTION NOW PLEASE.
Okoye and Uzoho have shown Arrogance and hate criticism they feel we should not talk if they perform badly consistently.
Okoye decided to Exit the national team because of Fan abuse Uzoho decided to tell people “him get money pass dem”, “if dem sabi make United come find dem sign dem naahhh”. So arrogance at play here with these two.
Okocha, Okoye may have learnt his lesson yes however I have not heard him come out and express regret at his SE decision and self imposed isolation I have not heard him come out and Vow to do better and Pledge allegiance to SE’s Cause but when we criticized him after AFCON ’21 and he absconded he made it public. So No Okoye should not be petted.. He must humble himself so too Uzoho
Oya Now Ugo is Bigot where dem dey. Mtcheeew!!!!
OKOYE IS STILL NIGERIA N01 THIS COACH IS ONE OF THE WORST COACHES NIGERIA EVER HAD
HE DOESN’T HAS FORESIGHT TO SEE QUANTITIES IN PLAYER’S FOR HIM TO DROP OKOYE WAS A BIGGEST MISTAKE
HE WILL LEAVE NIGERIA AFTER AFCON BECAUSE HE IS GOING NOWHERE
What are u talking about actually, the guy was invited several times he turned down invitation, so the coach should go and beg him or what exactly are u talking about
Yes, he dropped Balogun and didn’t take Gift Orban who is good at tournament and scored hattricks in Europe Championship. Orban plays power football and has similiar qualities with Daniel Amokachi.
In the team, you need a forward who plays power football to break down the opponent’s defence. The man from Portugal is very poor techniques, tactics and doesn’t know the right players to pick.
Sometimes, I wonder where the NFF got this man from.
I agree with everything you but let us focus now the match is just two days away.
Lmaooooo. This igbo tribal sentiments. I have been seeing a lot here recently from commentors, then Obi Mikel and now Okoye. This is serious, Okocha is even fighting for the biracial.
The last time I checked the midfield was full of them, how much more can you want?
Having old heads, past people of the team and retirees stay commenting on the team is not going to get you nowhere, only creates noise and problems. I already see this going downhill. Its bad enough past players stay saying they want to come coach the team.
Okocha should have given this opinion 2 years ago, instead of silently dribble about and then open up when nothing can be done.