Jay Jay Okocha Named World Cup Best Dribbler in Half a Century

Jay Jay Okocha Named World Cup Best Dribbler in Half a Century

Nigerian legend Austin Jay Jay Okocha has been named as the player with the most dribbles in a Fifa World Cup match for the past 52 years.

In the rating done by sports facts and stats website Opta Sports, Jay Jay completed 15 dribbles in the Super Eagles round of 16 clash against Italy at the 1994 World Cup.

It was the most dribbles made by a player since the 1966 World Cup in England.

“Since 1966, the most dribbles completed in a World Cup match is 15, by Jay Jay Okocha for Nigeria against Italy in July 1994,” Opta tweeted on their verified Twitter handle Wednesday.

Despite playing with 10 men following the sending off of Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola early in the second-half, Italy came from 1-0 down to beat the Super Eagles 2-1 courtesy of a brace from then World and European Player of the Year Roberto Baggio.

Nigeria was also named the second most entertaining team at the Mundial after eventual champions Brazil.

Okocha’s accolade doesn’t come as a surprise because recently, England legend John Barnes described him as the most talented player to have played the game.

The legendary Nigeria no 10 featured in three Fifa World Cup finals and was twice named BBC Africa Footballer of the Year.