Super Eagles legend Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has expressed concern over the state of Nigerian football.

The former Bolton Wanderers captain believes that the lack of quality infrastructure and poor coaching has deprived many young and talented footballers from reaching their full potential.

Okocha made this disclosure in an exclusive interview with Arise TV as he reflected on his football journey.

The 51-year-old emphasized how leaving Nigeria at an early age was crucial to his career success as a professional footballer.

“The difference is that in Europe you have everything you need to improve as a player, and you’re playing under better coaches and a better environment,” the former PSG star said.

“In Nigeria, we lack facilities and that disturbs one’s opportunity to perform and bring out the best in a young player. I was lucky that I left Nigeria early,” he added.

Okocha won 73 caps for Nigeria, scoring 14 goals for the Super Eagles. He featured for top European clubs like Eintracht Frankfurt, Fenerbahçe, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bolton Wanderers, where he made his name.

WDN