Okocha Says Football Politics Cost Him African Player of the Year Award

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Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha says football politics, rather than his failure to join Europe’s biggest clubs, may have denied him the African Player of the Year award. The former Super Eagles captain said he was among the continent’s leading players during his career and finished in the top three for the award several times. However, he believes the voting process was influenced by factors beyond performances on the pitch. Okocha pointed to his consecutive BBC African Footballer of the Year awards as proof of his quality. He said he has accepted that the continental honour was one achievement not meant to come his way.

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