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With Nigeria set to name Berti Vogts' successor this week, Jay-Jay Okocha has reiterated his willingness to help in the rebuilding process after Nigeria's disappointing display at the Africa Cup of Nations.
With Nigeria set to name Berti Vogts' successor this week, Jay-Jay Okocha has reiterated his willingness to help in the rebuilding process after Nigeria's disappointing display at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Okocha, who was part of the Super Eagles' team that won the sole continental crown in 1994, says on the FIFA website that he believes he could now have a role to play in the national team following the resignation of the German coach.
'I said after the 2006 Nations Cup in Egypt that I wasn't going to play any more for the national team, but that if they needed my help, I would be willing to consider it. And my position has not changed, I will always help my country."
Okocha also said that he regarded the appointment of Vogts as a mistake, even as he welcomed signs that Nigeria is set to turn to getting a homegrown coach.
With Coach Vogts in charge, Okocha believes that he would have had a Nigerian go-between, who would have bridged the gap for him.
'What Nigeria needs now is a coach who knows what it takes to get the best out of the players, not someone that will treat the players like children just because he was given the impression that they are not disciplined. That is all rubbish!
'The country's problem is not that of talent; we have talent. It is just a question of getting the boys organised and getting them at their best for tournaments."
Okocha, capped 75 times for Nigeria. The three-time FIFA World Cup campaigner insisted that Nigeria's poor showing in Ghana was partly due to Vogts' limited affinity with the culture of the country.
'I think we always like to learn the hard way and we keep making the same mistakes. I wasn't surprised at our performance in Ghana, because we struggled from the group stage. It was really a miracle that we got through.
'Football for us is a religion, it means more to us than just a game. Our people rejoice greatly when they see their players win a game. It gives them so much joy.
'You cannot imagine the effect we have on the people. If you go to some villages and call the name of our president, some people may not know him, but mention a footballer's name, I guarantee you that they will all know the player."