Top African stars for Okocha farewell game

Top African stars like Didier Drogba, Seyi Adebayor, Rigobert Song and Michael Essien have agreed to take part in an exhibition game that will mark the retirement of Austin Jay Jay’ Okocha from international football.

Organisers told reporters here Wednesday that an African selected team will play against Nigeria’s Super Eagles on June 26 in the southern town of Warri as part of events to mark the end of the international career of the former international midfielder.

“The response from both players and sponsors for this game has been overwhelming. It is to honour a great football legend,” said event organiser Amaju Pinnick.

“Nigeria has often been blessed with top soccer heroes but we hardly honour them, rather they just come and go. That was why we decided to celebrate the great career of ‘Jay Jay’.”

Okocha, 35, last played for his country at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt where the Eagles placed third. His full international career began in 1993 after he starred for the country’s youth team at the African Youth Championship in Mauritius the same year.

The Hull City star won a winners’ medal at the 1994 Nations Cup in Tunisia and was part of the history-making team that won gold at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. He also featured in three World Cups, in 1994, 1998 and 2002.