Jay-Jay Okocha vs Victor Osimhen
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.
Victor Osimhen
Nigeria · 2015–23 · ST
- Almanac rating
- 88
- Rank in Nigeria
- #6 of 33
- Caps
- 51 · 35 goals
- Clubs
- Lille OSC, SSC Napoli, Galatasaray S.K.
- Honours
- African Footballer of the Year
The protective mask dates from November 2021, when a collision at Inter fractured his cheekbone and eye socket, and he says it stays on for the rest of his career. Osimhen won Serie A with Napoli in 2023 and the capocannoniere with 26 goals, the most an African has scored in a season there, was African Footballer of the Year, has two Süper Lig titles with Galatasaray, and scored a record ten at the 2015 Under-17 World Cup. Career record: 51 caps and 35 goals for Nigeria; club career at Lille OSC, SSC Napoli, Galatasaray S.K.; honours include African Footballer of the Year.
The verdict
The almanac puts Jay-Jay Okocha ahead by 3 rating points, 91 against 88.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.