Confederation of African Football (CAF) has rated former Nigeria international Austin Okocha as one of the most talented dribblers the continent’s ever produced.
CAF stated this while reacting to organiser of the English top flight, Premier League, on their remembrance of Okocha’s signing by Bolton Wanderers on 18 June 2002.
The Premier League, on their verified Twitter handle and a shot clip of Okocha dribbles, wrote: “OnThisDay in 2002, @OfficialBWFC signed the one and only @IAmOkocha.”
And reacting to the Premier League, CAF Twitted alongside a clip of Okocha against Zambia in the final of the 1994 AFCON final: “One of the @NGSuperEagles & Africa’s most talented dribblers: @IAmOkocha.”
Okocha, 46, joined Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer after leaving PAris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2002 after the FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan.
Okocha steered Bolton away from relegation with seven goals, including the team Goal of the Season in the vital league win against West Ham United .
The goal against West Ham was voted Bolton’s best Premier League goal in a fans vote in 2008.
The next season saw Okocha was given the captain’s armband following Guðni Bergsson’s retirement. As captain he led Bolton to their first cup final in nine years where they lost 2-1 to Middlesbrough in the 2004 Football League Cup.
He eventually left Bolton in 2006 and joined Qatari club SC where he spent just one season.
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