Okocha 'limps' to join Super Eagles

Super Eagles injury-benched captain, Austin Okocha will be in Oran, Algeria on Sunday for the crunchy Germany 2006 World Cup qualifier game afterall. However, the player's role on Sunday, will be off the pitch, for his reason to be physically present in the north African nation, is to cheer his boys and provide moral boost for them before and during the encounter, which has been tagged "The Battle of Oran" by some Nigerian newspapers.

This much was made known nigeriasports.com in Abuja, by the nation's soccer house's mediaman, Robinson Okosun. According to him, the mercuric midfield dazzler and peerless human motivator of the Eagles on the pitch, confirmed that he would not only be in Oran for the circumstantial encounter, but remain in their Portuguese campsite with his mates before the D day.

The player we were further briefed, believes that his presence in both Portugal and Algeria does not only demonstrate his sense of patrioticism and belonging, but also act as a morale-boost to his team mates. In addition it would run a glorious race in showing that his injury is not feigned but real as could be interpreted in some quarters.

"The Sunday game is crucial and I know this. I won't be able to play in the match, but rather than sit by the TV in Bolton to watch the game, I'd rather come to Portugal and thereafter, travel to Oran with the team for the match. This is to demonstrate my commitment to the team, my country Nigeria and a deep sense of belonging ... even when I cannot play now.

"I am sure that this would even make my spirit move nearer and stay with the team during the match. It is my little contribution to the success of the team's success which of course, spreads to me,"Okocha was quoted as saying in a telephone confirmation with the Nigerian FA.

However, Okocha's decision to be with the team at their camp site in Portugal and be at the match is believed to be a reaction to the endless tongue-whips from his team mates, who do not believe his tale of being injured. According to the players, Okocha as the team's captain, should show a better example by at visiting the team either in camp or during the encounter.

The players nigeriasports.com learnt, argued that, if Okocha's injury claim was true and genuine, he as the captain should be in the camp with them and go ahead to attend the match. This the went on, would have shown a sense of belonging and a demonstration of his willingness to be part of the sqad, but for the claimed injury.

Okocha it would be recalled, walked off the pitch in his last club match about three minutes to full time - a development seen by some Nigerians, as a ploy to stay-off Sunday's all-important sizzler against the Desert Warriors of Algeria.