Jay Jay Okocha reveals why Nigeria have lots of strikers in Europe

Nigeria legend Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has shared his perspective on Nigeria’s prowess in cultivating successful strikers more than the other departments on the pitch.

The former PSG and Bolton Wanderers midfielder is regarded as one of the greatest exports from Africa, being regarded as one of the greatest dribblers of all time and renowned for his mesmerizing displays on the pitch.

Nigeria currently boasts of attacking players like Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho, Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface, OGC Nice’s Terem Moffi, and Real Sociedad’s Umar Sadiq, who have scored more than 33 goals between them in the 2023/24 season.

As well as Gift Orban, Taiwo Awoniyi, Nathan Tella, and other red-hot goal poachers across Europe’s top five leagues.

Speaking at a Bundesliga media round table, Okocha noted that the current crop of talent bursting through for Nigeria is populated with more offensive players, than defensive.

“I will say football is part of our culture in Nigeria. And every kid in Nigeria wants to be a goalscorer.

“They want to be noticed. They realized that maybe the offensive midfielders, players, and strikers are the ones that get noticed more than defenders… And maybe because of nature.

“Also, the fans might have a hand in it, because we don’t forgive defenders if they score an own goal but we can forgive strikers who missed scoring chances.”