|
Kanu says
fans ’ll miss Okocha
Super Eagles skipper
Kanu Nwankwo has said Austin Okocha’s decision to quit international
football was admirable and courageous.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria at Osubi Airport, Delta,
Kanu said he admired Okocha for his decision to quit at the peak of
his career.
“The decision is from him. All Nigerians want him to keep on playing
for Nigeria but that is his decision to retire.’’
On his part, Okocha noted that no man was an island, saying the
vacuum his exit might seem to create in the national team would
eventually be filled.
“I am glad that I have paid my dues to the nation and I’m very glad
my hard work was appreciated.
He commended his home state, Delta, for “celebrating” him while he
is still alive by naming Ogwashi-Ukwu Stadium after him and
organising last week’s soccer testimonial in his honour.
“I’m glad that the state government bought the idea to do this for
me, it is great and wonderful.
“I’m really happy about that,” he said. He said his only regret was
missing to win the African Footballer of the Year award throughout
his career.
He said the turning point in his life was when he joined Germany’s
Eintracht Frankfurt in 1992.
He said he could only play in the reserve team then because he was
only 18 but things changed so fast that he was drafted to the senior
team when injury ruled out many of them.
Okocha said his biggest challenge was to be recognised in the world
even after he had retired.
He added that his goal was to quit on a high note rather than
continue and flourish in disgrace.
|
