Egyptian Football Legend Mido Ignores Abedi Pele, Names Jay Jay Okocha in 5 Greatest African Players

Egyptian Football Legend Mido Ignores Abedi Pele, Names Jay Jay Okocha in 5 Greatest African Players

Babajide Orevba
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:04 PM
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A. A. Okocha
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  • Jay Jay Okocha continues to get the accolades following his exploits during his time as a professional footballer
  • The former Super Eagles captain has been named among the top five greatest African footballers by Egyptian legend Mido
  • The former Tottenham star, however, ignored Mohamed Salah in the list as well as Ghanaian legend Abedi Pele

Ex-Egypt international Ahmed Hossam Mido has named his five greatest African footballers, leaving out compatriot Mohamed Salah and then Ghanaian legend Abedi Pele.

The former Tottenham striker included Nigerian legend and former midfield maestro Jay Jay Okocha in his top-five stars from the continent.

Despite his staggering form for Liverpool, many believe Mo Salah would have made the cut, but somehow his name was omitted.

Jay Jay Okocha, Abedi Pele, Didier Drogba, Mohamed Salah
Jay Jay Okocha has been named in top five African footballers of all time by Egyptian legend Mido. Photo: Shaun Botterill
Source: Getty Images

The 29-year-old looks good to compete for this year’s Ballon d’Or following his impressive form for the Reds in the last five years, Daily Post reports.

Salah has won the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup with Liverpool during an incredible five-year spell.

The ex-Chelsea forward has also bagged the CAF African Footballer of the Year award on two occasions, three Premier League Golden Boots, and was two years ago named the IFFHS Best CAF Men’s Player of the Decade (2011-2020).

However, Mido, is not convinced that Salah deserves a place among the greats.

The 39-year-old wrote on Twitter:

“For me, the best five players in the history of Africa are George Weah, Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o, Hossam Hassan, and Jay-Jay Okocha.”

Okocha among the top 5 Africans who dazzled at the World Cup

Meanwhile, 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.

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.

Ghana star Charles Taylor narrates unpleasant ordeal with Taribo West

Meanwhile, one-time Black Stars attacker Charles Taylor has revealed his unpleasant ordeal with ex-Super Eagles defender Taribo West.

Taylor, one of the finest footballers to have graced the Ghana Premier League, was a menace for most defenders during his prime, mesmerizing opponents with his bewitching trickery.

Apparently, his performance was causing a major headache to the Nigerian team, which forced former Inter Milan defender Taribo West to issue a threat to him.

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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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