33·Legends

Jay-Jay Okocha vs Sunday Oliseh

Nigeria against Nigeria. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.

JO

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.

vs
SO

Sunday Oliseh

Nigeria · 1994–2002 · CDM

Almanac rating
88
Rank in Nigeria
#5 of 33
Caps
54 · 2 goals
Clubs
R.F.C. de Liège, 1. FC Köln, AFC Ajax

Fernando Hierro's clearing header dropped 25 yards out on 13 June 1998, and Oliseh hit it early and low past Andoni Zubizarreta to beat Spain 3-2. He took Olympic gold at Atlanta 1996 and the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994, won the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund in 2002 and the Eredivisie with Ajax in 1998, added two KNVB Cups and the 1999 Intertoto Cup at Juventus, and finished with 55 caps. Career record: 54 caps and 2 goals for Nigeria; club career at R.F.C. de Liège, 1. FC Köln, AFC Ajax.

The verdict

The almanac puts Jay-Jay Okocha ahead by 3 rating points, 91 against 88.

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