Drogba Missing as Okocha, Roger Milla Named in Top 5 African Stars Who Dazzled at the World Cup

Drogba Missing as Okocha, Roger Milla Named in Top 5 African Stars Who Dazzled at the World Cup

Babajide Orevba
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:03 PM
  • Jay Jay Okocha has been ranked among the top five African footballers who dazzled at the FIFA World Cup
  • The Nigerian international featured at the 1994, 1998 and 2002 editions of the global showpiece and produced magical moments
  • Also on the list are Cameroon legend Roger Milla, Ghanaian international Asamoah Gyan and Senegal’s El Hadji Diouf.

Former Super Eagles captain Jay Jay Okocha remains Nigeria’s most-talented footballer of all time and he featured in three World Cups before retirement.

Having played at the 1994, 1998 and 2002 editions of the tournament, the former Fenerbahce superstar had his best outing in France.

GOAL reports that Okocha thrilled the world with his trickery and dazzling displays to help the Super Eagles make up for an underwhelming performance which saw them crash out of the tournament in the Round of 16 following a 4-1 loss to Denmark.

Jay Jay Okocha, World Cup, Super Eagles, Roger Milla
Jay Jay Okocha has been named among the best African players to play at the World Cup. Photo: Mark Leech
Source: Getty Images

Roger Milla

Also on the list is three-time African Footballer of the Year Roger Milla who had a sensational tournament the 1990 edition in Italy.

His four goals helped Cameroon reach the semi-final of the tournament which was Africa’s best until Senegal and Ghana matched the feat in 2002 and 2010 respectively.

At the age of 42, Milla became the oldest footballer to ever feature at the global showpiece but that record has been surpassed by 43-year-old Faryd Mondragon in 2014 and Egypt’s Essam El Hadary who played in Russia 2018 at 45.

Asamoah Gyan

This list will not be complete without Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan who featured in, 2010 and 2014 – and was instrumental in the Black Stars’ progress to the last eight in South Africa.

He scored Ghana’s first goal at the World Cup with just 68 seconds into their clash with the Czech Republic which they won 2-0.

In 2014, Gyan grabbed a brace against eventual winners Germany and then Portugal as he overtook Roger Milla’s five-goal haul at the World Cup.

While his last-gasp extra-time miss against Uruguay in 2010 saw him miss out on even more history by making his nation the outright best performing African side at the finals, he did break a 20-year record in Brazil four years later.

El Hadji Diouf

Also, El Hadji Diouf became the best player for the Teranga Lions of Senegal in their debut as they defeated defending champions France 1-0 in their first match.

They went on to reach the quarter-final of the competition and Diouf was honoured with a place on the All-star team alongside greats like Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Miroslav Klose.

Moussa Wague

Finally, Moussa Wague of Senegal remains the youngest African player to ever score at the World Cup following his goal against Japan in 2018.

At 19 years and 263 days old, the Barcelona defender supplanted Ghana’s Draman Haminu, who scored against the United States in 2006 at 20 years and 82 days old.

5 African stars who dazzled at the World Cup as per GOAL

  1. Jay Jay Okocha
  2. Roger Milla
  3. Asamoah Gyan
  4. El Hadji Diouf
  5. Moussa Wague

Germany international declares interest in playing for Ghana

Meanwhile, Sports Brief earlier reported that the son of former Ghana coach, Charles Kwabla Akonnor, Charles Jesaja Herrmann has revealed his desire to play for the Black Stars.

The former Germany youth international is ready to switch allegiance and represent Ghana, the country of his father.

Jesaja Herrmann, who plays for Belgium topflight side KV Kortrijk in an interview with Tv3 confirmed his interest in playing for Ghana.

Authors
Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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