Some Nigerians and football fans on social media have turned the heat on former England coach Sam Allardyce over some comments he made regarding the brilliance of former Nigerian footballer Austine Jay Jay Okocha.<\/p>\n Sam Allardyce, who worked with Okocha at Bolton Wanderers, made a comment which he viewed as an appreciation of Okocha’s incredible talent.<\/p>\n In a Sky Sports interview, Sam Allardyce referred to Okocha as the African version of Manchester United and England legend David Beckham.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was the [David] Beckham of Africa,\u201d Sam Allardyce said during the interview.<\/p>\n Sam Allardyce also expressed shock that Okocha did not feature for any of the top clubs in the Premier League.<\/p>\n \u201cTo this day, [I am] massively surprised that it wasn\u2019t the Man Uniteds, or the Arsenals, or the Chelseas, or the Man Citys, or the Liverpools that didn\u2019t come in and sign him, particularly on a free transfer.<\/p>\n \u201cJay-Jay mastered the fact that when the trick came, it was the right time to do it, in the right place. Don\u2019t do it at the edge of our box in case you don\u2019t get it right.\u201d<\/p>\n His comments, which were intended to be a positive appraisal of Okocha, have been rejected by some Nigerians who believe that Okocha was a better footballer than Beckham.<\/p>\n While there are no contestations over which one of the two had a better career, they differed from Sam Allardyce\u2019s claim that stylistically both players were similar.<\/p>\n Okocha joined Bolton in 2003 and spent four seasons at the club, where he became a cult hero.<\/p>\n Read the comments below<\/b><\/p>\n He was better than Dinho. What’s he on about Beckham. They rate their players so much these English guys<\/p>\n \u2014 Enkidu (@nkrumahboateng) January 23, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Was he bollocks, he was leagues above Beckham for ability, Beckham made a career crossing balls and taking free kicks. Okocha\u2019s all round game was at a different level.<\/p>\n \u2014 Richard Atherton (@rmabolton) January 24, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n What a player, pure natural ability and skill. Not many players possess what he had. Ronaldonho maybe but Jay Jay was a pleasure to watch<\/p>\n \u2014 Borgy (@__Borgy__) January 23, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Okocha was far far better than Beckham.<\/p>\n \u2014 Brian O’Flaherty (@Flatsy1) January 23, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n No, Sam. He was the Jay-Jay Okocha of Africa. And had far more skill than Beckham.<\/p>\n \u2014 COUNTRYfive (@Iamstill_les) January 24, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Disrespectful. Okocha was better<\/p>\n \u2014 GOOD CITIZEN (@OchaduAchadu) January 23, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n David Beckham? I think he ment ” He was the Ronaldinhoo of Africa”? \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n \u2014 Mike H (@Mikehiyab) January 23, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Beckam was the JJ of England<\/p>\n \u2014 Baba Lungile (@SirSfc) January 23, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n David Beckham wasnt skiilled<\/p>\n \u2014 sonderkommando (@255Charming) January 24, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n He was nothing like David Beckham.<\/p>\n \u2014 Dave (@KawidDubica69) January 23, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Was David Beckham as skilful as this? \ud83d\ude44\ud83d\ude12 \u2014 ‘Kanmi Bhadmus (@MrGabby008) January 23, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Watch the latest edition of Sports Debate below:<\/b><\/p>\n![\"Jay](\"https:\/\/cdn.ghanaweb.com\/imagelib\/pics\/517\/51732564.295.jpg\" "\\"Jay")
Jay Jay Okocha and Sam Allardyce during their Bolton days<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\nJoe Cole is the only English player who was a little bit close to him. Beckham has no skills at all.<\/p>\n