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Why I Didn't Play - Okocha Super Eagles skipper Jay Jay Okocha has given a damming reason why he failed to show up for Sunday's World Cup qualifier against Angola - he was too tired! Speaking to NTA yesterday, the Bolton Wanderers skipper said he skipped the match, which Nigeria lost 1-0 in Luanda, because he needed a 'break' after taking part in a gruelling season with his Premiership club. "I'm sorry our team lost but I've made it clear I want a break and can't be playing every game," Okocha said. "I'm not a machine and I need some rest. "People should consider it's been a long, busy season playing for my club - Bolton Wanderers." But last Thursday the player's agent had said Okocha was not available to play against Angola because he could not get a flight to Luanda from Paris was he was vacationing. The midfielder also failed to take part in the Unity Cup with Jamaica and the Republic of Ireland in London earlier this month because he wanted a rest. He was subsequently not considered for Nigeria's first 2006 World Cup qualifier against Rwanda earlier this month. Nigeria, without several key players, lost to an 85th minute goal from Akwa that put Angola top of African zone group four with four points from two games. Nigeria is second with three points thanks to their win over Rwanda and their next game is at home to Algeria on July 3rd. However, Okocha failed to explain while he had promised FA officials that he would be available for the Luanda game. Last weekend the FA Secretary General Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi had assured that Okocha promised to join his colleagues in Otta and would fly out with the team during the week to Angola. Later this was changed to indicate that he would be flying straight to Luanda from Europe. The Tunisia 2004 MVP was also silent on the fact that many of the top players in Europe who even featured more prominently for their respective clubs are currently sweating it out in Portugal. For instance Portuguese star Deco scored in the final of the Champions League for Porto against Monaco only a fortnight before Euro 2004 and yet is still in action for his national team at the European Championships. Who Are We ? | About THISDAYOnLine.com | THISDAY People | Contact Us © Copyright 2000 Leaders & Company Limited

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