Jay-Jay Okocha vs John Obi Mikel
Nigeria against Nigeria. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Jay-Jay Okocha
Nigeria · 1993–2000 · CAM
- Almanac rating
- 91
- Rank in Nigeria
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 75 · 14 goals
- Clubs
- Eintracht Frankfurt, Paris Saint-Germain, Bolton Wanderers
Five Karlsruhe defenders, some of them twice, then Oliver Kahn: that was Okocha's route to goal in Frankfurt on 31 August 1993, a strike Kahn still calls dizzying and Jürgen Klopp rates the best in Bundesliga history. The 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and Olympic gold at Atlanta in 1996 head his list, followed by the 2000 AFCON final with Nigeria, three World Cups, the captaincy of the Super Eagles, and a 1998 move to Paris Saint-Germain that made him the most expensive African footballer of his day. Career record: 75 caps and 14 goals for Nigeria; club career at Eintracht Frankfurt, Paris Saint-Germain, Bolton Wanderers.
John Obi Mikel
Nigeria · 2012–18 · CDM
- Almanac rating
- 86
- Rank in Nigeria
- #7 of 33
- Caps
- 91 · 6 goals
- Clubs
- Chelsea, Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, Stoke City
- Honours
- Hall of Fame
On 26 June 2018, the day Nigeria played Argentina at the World Cup, he learned his father had been kidnapped, said nothing to the dressing room and played the full ninety minutes. Mikel won the Champions League and then the Europa League with Chelsea in 2012 and 2013, two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and two League Cups, the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria, and Olympic bronze in Rio as captain. Career record: 91 caps and 6 goals for Nigeria; club career at Chelsea, Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, Stoke City; honours include Hall of Fame.
The verdict
The almanac puts Jay-Jay Okocha ahead by 5 rating points, 91 against 86.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.