Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has jumped into the ring of comparisons between Fulham’s Alex Iwobi and the legendary midfielder Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha.
The debate ignited after Iwobi faced cyberbullying from fans following Nigeria’s disappointment in the AFCON 2023.
Aiyegbeni weighs in on Iwobi-Okocha comparisons
Aiyegbeni has thrown his hat into the Iwobi debate, emphasizing that we shouldn’t expect Iwobi to match the illustrious standards set by Okocha, who is hailed as one of Nigeria’s all-time football greats.
“Alex Iwobi would never be like Jay Jay Okocha. They (fans) need to understand and stop comparing Alex Iwobi to Jay Jay,” Yakubu said in a video from the TheYakPodcast shared on X.
“This guy is different, Iwobi can run from London to Nigeria, Jay Jay cannot run, but he has the skills and he’s very intelligent. He’s one of the best midfielders Nigeria has ever produced.”
Okocha’s illustrious career, marked by his dazzling skills and flair showcased for Nigeria’s Super Eagles and clubs such as PSG and Bolton, has left an indelible mark. However, Yakubu firmly believes that Nigeria won’t witness another player quite like his former captain, Okocha.
“Jay Jay will say to me ‘Yak, forget about it, i will turn the ball like this, i will turn the ball like that, i dey see you, run,” he said further. “There is no one like Jay Jay. Nigeria needs to let go.”
Aiyegbeni also hinted that the ongoing comparisons were diverting attention away from more urgent matters in Nigeria.
“Our problem in Nigeria is not football. They should focus on reality in Nigeria than focus on Iwobi,” he added.
The 26-year-old midfielder, has become a crucial figure for both Fulham and the Nigerian national team. He was consistently featured for the Super Eagles during their impressive campaign to reach the final of the recently concluded 34th AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.
