By Dickson Omobola
Sports communication expert, Dr Unwana Akpan, has called for greater investment in indigenous football development, saying it is crucial to nurturing players’ skills from an early age.
Akpan, a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Lagos, Akoka, also criticised those trolling former Super Eagles captain, Jay-Jay Okocha, saying he was one of Nigeria’s greatest football entertainers whose style inspired generations of players.
Speaking to Vanguard, Akpan said Okocha’s flair was rooted in Nigeria’s indigenous football culture, where creativity and entertainment were as highly valued as winning.
His words: “You see what Okocha did? That is indigenous football. When he was playing, and you looked at players around Aba, Benin and Asaba, those guys were not just playing to score goals; they were playing to entertain.
“That was the brand of football Okocha brought to the game, whereas elsewhere the emphasis was on scoring goals. That is why Okocha could not win individual honours such as the FIFA World Player of the Year or the African Footballer of the Year awards.
“At the end of the day, those awards often went to players who scored more goals, not necessarily those who thrilled fans with their dribbling. Football should be allowed to retain its indigenous identity. Okocha deserved to win the African Footballer of the Year award at least once for what he brought to the game.”
Okocha has come under criticism on social media over comments he made on the Obi One Podcast, in which he compared Portugal legend, Cristiano Ronaldo, to Manchester City striker, Erling Haaland.
Asked to choose between Lionel Messi and Ronaldo on the podcast, Okocha said: “Messi for me. Ronaldo is a special player. He can score 10 million goals, but he is a goalscorer like Haaland. Haaland is a goalscorer. Messi is on another planet; he’s art. He was born to play football. I think Messi would get ill if he doesn’t play football. He is a genius.”
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