Jay Jay Okocha and Sam Allardyce during their Bolton days
Some Nigerians and football fans on social media have turned the heat on former England coach Sam Allardyce over some comments he made regarding the brilliance of former Nigerian footballer Austine Jay Jay Okocha.
Sam Allardyce, who worked with Okocha at Bolton Wanderers, made a comment which he viewed as an appreciation of Okocha’s incredible talent.
In a Sky Sports interview, Sam Allardyce referred to Okocha as the African version of Manchester United and England legend David Beckham.
“He was the [David] Beckham of Africa,” Sam Allardyce said during the interview.
Sam Allardyce also expressed shock that Okocha did not feature for any of the top clubs in the Premier League.
“To this day, [I am] massively surprised that it wasn’t the Man Uniteds, or the Arsenals, or the Chelseas, or the Man Citys, or the Liverpools that didn’t come in and sign him, particularly on a free transfer.
“Jay-Jay mastered the fact that when the trick came, it was the right time to do it, in the right place. Don’t do it at the edge of our box in case you don’t get it right.”
His comments, which were intended to be a positive appraisal of Okocha, have been rejected by some Nigerians who believe that Okocha was a better footballer than Beckham.
While there are no contestations over which one of the two had a better career, they differed from Sam Allardyce’s claim that stylistically both players were similar.
Okocha joined Bolton in 2003 and spent four seasons at the club, where he became a cult hero.
Read the comments below
He was better than Dinho. What’s he on about Beckham. They rate their players so much these English guys
— Enkidu (@nkrumahboateng) January 23, 2025
Was he bollocks, he was leagues above Beckham for ability, Beckham made a career crossing balls and taking free kicks. Okocha’s all round game was at a different level.
— Richard Atherton (@rmabolton) January 24, 2025
What a player, pure natural ability and skill. Not many players possess what he had. Ronaldonho maybe but Jay Jay was a pleasure to watch
— Borgy (@__Borgy__) January 23, 2025
Okocha was far far better than Beckham.
— Brian O’Flaherty (@Flatsy1) January 23, 2025
No, Sam. He was the Jay-Jay Okocha of Africa. And had far more skill than Beckham.
— COUNTRYfive (@Iamstill_les) January 24, 2025
Disrespectful. Okocha was better
— GOOD CITIZEN (@OchaduAchadu) January 23, 2025
David Beckham? I think he ment ” He was the Ronaldinhoo of Africa”? 😉
— Mike H (@Mikehiyab) January 23, 2025
Beckam was the JJ of England
— Baba Lungile (@SirSfc) January 23, 2025
David Beckham wasnt skiilled
— sonderkommando (@255Charming) January 24, 2025
He was nothing like David Beckham.
— Dave (@KawidDubica69) January 23, 2025
Was David Beckham as skilful as this? 🙄😒
Joe Cole is the only English player who was a little bit close to him. Beckham has no skills at all.— ‘Kanmi Bhadmus (@MrGabby008) January 23, 2025
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