Amokachi, Okocha in English Clubs' Best XI
From Pius Ayinor in London, Courtesy SuperSport/DStv
Nearly a decade after he left the English Premier League scene, Daniel 'The Bull' Amokachi has not been forgotten The hard ball player in his playing days was listed in the Best X1 ever of Premiership side Everton in a poll write-up made by the London Times group in a pre-season special publication released in England on Sunday.
The selections for all the 18 teams in the 2004 season kicking off this weekend also listed the likes of Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Bryan Robson for Manche-ster United, Gianfranco Zola of Chealsea and Alan Shearer for Newcastle United.
After a quality time in Belgium and superlative outings for Nigeria at the 1994 African Nations and USA World Cups, Amokachi joined the Toffees.
Even though he was nicknamed 'Amo Taxi' by fans of the Merseyside outfit for his spirited runs against defenders, he had a difficult time pinning down a regular first team shirt in what many alleged was racist-tinged by the manager Joe Royle. But he bullied his way into the 1995 English FA Cup final as a substitute virtually by default. His famous goal in the celebrated Liverpool side certainly wrote his name in gold before he joined Turkey's Besiktas.
But the former Super Eagles striker partner of Rashidi Yekini is not the only Nigerian listed in the publication. Expectedly, current Eagles and Bolton captain, Austin Okocha is listed for his English club.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni who joined Portsmouth from Maccabi Haifa in the first instance as a loan player made the evergreen listing of Pompey.
But while playing and retired players made the listing from world wide nationals, Eagles left back Celestine Babayaro, who has played for only Chelsea since arriving England in 1996 did not get any mention. Joseph Yobo who is on the Everton roster missed out like Babayaro.
The Arsenal team has their captain Patrick Vieira listed as well goals king Thierry Henry but Nigeria's former representative at Highbury Kanu Nwankwo may have to play out his heart in his new team West Brom to get listed for next season or thereafter.
The leggy Eagles striker, however, made the headlines in England when he was presented to West Brom fans last week. And going by what the former Ajax player told the media, he may well be up for a good mention in future.
"...But I have come here to play football and that is why I left Arsenal. I didn't want to stay on the bench where my talent was wasted," he said.
The 'All Season Preview' credit Kanu as a player who could make a lot of difference in the striking fortunes of the newly promoted team.
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