I Regret Not Winning CAF Player Of The Year Award – Okocha

Nigerian football legend Jay Jay Okocha has revealed that one of his big regrets was a failure to win the coveted CAF Player of the Year prize. Okocha famously finished as runner-up in 1998 and 2004 behind Mustapha Hadji and Samuel Eto’o despite being favourite to win the award on both occasions and the 1994 African champion has revealed getting recognition from many other quarters made up for missing out on the coveted prize.

Speaking at a fans interaction forum hosted by Western Union as part of their activities as Global Partners of the Europa League, Okocha said: “I definitely regret not winning the CAF Player of the Year award. I hoped to win while I was a professional but thing don’t always go your way. My source of pride, regardless of what happened with CAF, is that I got awards and recognition from others asides CAF.”

Ever so modest, Okocha also hinted that the reason for his failure to win the award was probably the plethora of quality footballers in his generation. “My generation had a lot of great footballers and the competition was very high. I feel privileged to have played in the same period as some of these greats and if I did not win the award, it is because someone else did,” Okocha said. “Saying I don’t regret not winning the CAF Player of the Year award will be a lie but a bigger regret is that I cannot come out of retirement to try again!” he joked.

Jay Jay Okocha was speaking at a fans’ interaction forum hosted by Western Union, Global Partners of the Europa League, in Frankfurt.

Posted: at 24-02-2014 09:22 AM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac

You are a legend and a skillful master, everybody enjoyed watching you play in the pitch, but you retired so early and we miss you alot

Posted: at 24-02-2014 01:27 PM (10 years ago) | Upcoming

Ok na

Posted: at 24-02-2014 03:04 PM (10 years ago) | Hero

No wahala

Posted: at 24-02-2014 05:31 PM (10 years ago) | Hero

Alright !

Posted: at 24-02-2014 08:39 PM (10 years ago) | Hero

A more mature style of play., focused and without the unnecessary showoff which saw you losing the ball after much dribbling and scoring no goals would have given you all the titles in the world.

Posted: at 24-02-2014 10:12 PM (10 years ago) | Newbie

are u older than  diego maradona? my friend come back to football u are still young.

Posted: at 24-02-2014 11:13 PM (10 years ago) | Upcoming

An icon in the game of soccer.....

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Posted: at 25-02-2014 12:56 AM (10 years ago) | Hero

Nice one Jay Jay

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Posted: at 25-02-2014 07:05 AM (10 years ago) | Hero

I also regret that you didn't win

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Posted: at 25-02-2014 02:09 PM (10 years ago) | Addicted Hero