Okocha shines at U-23 AFCON final, Morroco down Egypt to win first title
Former Super Eagles of Nigeria skipper Austin ‘Jay Jay ‘ Okocha was one of the shining lights at the 2023 U-23 AFCON final In Morroco on Saturday night.
The mecurial Jay Jay Okocha was by CAF to grace the final match between Egypt and Morroco alongside other African Football legends like Elhadji Douf (Senegal), Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo), Asamaoh Gyan (Ghana) Alexandre Song (Cameroon) Arthur Boka of Cote d’Ivoire and Karim Haggui of Tunisia.
Okocha was accorded the honour of serving as trophy bearer and so with fifteen minutes to the kick off, the Nigerian, dressed in navy blue suit, marched onto the turf at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium where placed the trophy to set tone for the epic final.
Immediately the announcer mentioned his name, ‘ Okocha ‘ the crowd applauded as he majestically walked on with the trophy.
A deserved honour for a man who was instrumental to Africa’s first and only football gold at an Olympic games back in 1996.
In the keenly contested final match, tournament hosts Morroco defeated defending champions Egypt after 120 intense minutes of action.
Regulation time ended in a 1-1 draw before Oussamna Targhalline scored the winner in the first half of extra-time after getting the best of a free kick from teammate Ezzalzouli.
Morocco’s first ever U-23 Africa Cup of Nations title means they will arrive in Paris 2022 for the Olympics as Africa’s best.
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Can they replicate the Atlanta 1996 gold medal feat by Austin Okocha and Nigeria’s Dream team ?
