Fulham stars Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey have picked Augustine Jay-Jay Okocha as the best Nigerian to ever play in the Premier League.
Both players grew up idolising Okocha, who captivated many across the world with his impressive dribbling skills and knack for showboating.
The Nigerian legend, who won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with the Super Eagles in 1994, made his name playing across Germany, France, England and Turkey.
Okocha spent four years in the Premier League after joining Bolton Wanderers from Paris Saint-Germain. He came along with his magic feet to the English topflight and dazzled the fans with his trickery.
Although the 50-year-old didn’t win any major piece of silverware during his time in England, he left a mark and is still hugely admired by many to this day for his entertaining brand of football and always playing with a smile on his face.
Iwobi, Bassey pick Okocha as Nigeria’s best in Premier League history
Iwobi and Bassey, therefore, unanimously agreed that Okocha was the best Nigerian footballer to ever grace the Premier League. Speaking on the Premier League’s Uncut show, Iwobi said he’s biased towards Okocha because the former Bolton forward is his uncle.
“I’m biased, I pick my uncle (Augustine ‘Jay-Jay' Okocha). I’m biased,” Iwobi stated. Bassey, however, picked Okocha but chipped in Nwankwo Kanu’s name as another player who would readily tick the box for greatest Nigerian to play in the Premier League. “For me, Jay-Jay (Okocha) and (Nwankwo) Kanu,” the defender said.
So many Nigerians have played in the Premier League in the last few decades, with some earning legendary statuses at the clubs they played for. While Okocha was noted for his flamboyant style of play, others also made their names through goal-scoring and compact midfield play.
Kanu’s spell at Arsenal saw him become one of the most decorated Nigerians to feature in the Premier League, having won two Premier League titles and two FA Cups. He was also part of Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles before crossing carpets to Portsmouth, where he helped them to win the FA Cup in the 2007/2008 season.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni is also among the highest-scoring Africans in the Premier League. The ex-Super Eagles striker lined up for Blackburn Rovers, Portsmouth, Middleborough and Everton in the English top-flight. His return of 95 goals and 252 matches puts him fifth in the list of top African goal scorers in the Premier League. In recent years, Mikel Obi, who won everything with Chelsea, has also cemented his reputation in England.
Iwobi and Bassey choose Okocha and Henry as childhood idols
Also answering a question about which players they idolised while growing up, Iwobi once again opted for his uncle Okocha, saying: “Safest answer is my uncle.”
Bassey picked Thierry Henry, explaining that he greatly admired the France legend in his childhood, as he used to be a striker before being converted into a defender.
“I was a striker when I was young and in my striking days it was Thierry Henry,” the former Ajax centre-back said.
Both Iwobi and Bassey are currently enjoying decent seasons with Fulham in the Premier League this season, having played 30 and 27 matches, respectively, in all competitions. The Nigerian duo also scored in the Cottagers’ impressive 2-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford in February.
While both are far from matching the heights of some Nigerian greats who played in the Premier League, Iwobi already has some records to his name. The 27-year-old recently became the Nigerian player with the joint most assists in the Premier League after matching Kanu’s record of 29. He is also the Nigerian player with the most minutes played in the Premier League after surpassing Mikel Obi’s record.
