Okocha may revive football career

In from Nifemi Daniel …

Former Nigeria and Bolton Wanderers of England star, Austin Okocha could be on the verge of a shock move to amateur side Wolverton Town after playing for their reserve side last week, the club confirmed.

Okocha, 41, played 45 minutes for Wolverton’s reserves against Arlesey Town reserves last week, but has not yet decided on whether to make a permanent move to the Milton Keynes club.

Wolverton, who currently ply their trade in the Spartan South Midlands League, were tight-lipped about Okocha’s long-term future.

Amanda Keech, chairperson of Wolverton Town, said: “He did play 45 minutes last week for us but we can’t say either way whether he will sign yet.

“He is friends with somebody who coaches at the club and could be helping out with pre-season training with the players. We will be able to say more once he has decided.”

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Okocha started his career with Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt before spells at European giants Fenerbahçe and Paris St-Germain.

Premier League fans will remember him from his time at Bolton Wanderers, during which he made more than 100 Premier League appearances. He also helped Hull City win promotion from the Championship in 2008, after playing 18 times for the Yorkshire side.

Okocha also made 73 appearances for Nigeria, playing in both the 1998 and 2002 World Cups and captained the Super Eagles for nearly four years. With Nigeria he won the 1994 African Cup of Nations and a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

He was named Nigerian Footballer of the Year no fewer than seven times and was even named in the Fifa 100 – Pele’s list of the top 100 greatest living footballers.

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