Where are they now?, 4 players dubbed ‘the next Jay Jay Okocha ’

Since his retirement, some promising players produced by the country often have to live with the pressure of being labelled ‘the next Okocha ’.

We will look back at four players compared to the great man at a young age, and how they later fared in their respective careers.

Rabiu Ibrahim :

Rabiu Ibrahim made a name for himself at the U17 FIFA World in Korea back in 2007. He was highly rated by the media, and was dubbed as the new Jay Jay Okocha.

Ibrahim is blessed with great skills and has eyes for goals.

However, things didn't work out well for him and has to go through difficulty for most of his career. 

He had an unproductive spell in Portugal with Sporting Lisbon. He couldn't make a single senior appearance for the club, and he was allowed to join PSV, where he also struggled. A trip to Scotland with Celtic and Kilmarnock followed, and still couldn't make his mark. 

Ibrahim later collapsed on a pitch in Scotland, before making his way to Slovakia, where he found a home with AS Trencin.

After successful two seasons with AS Trencin, He joined Gent in 2017, but injury limited him to just 4 appearances, and was asked to leave. 

Now 30, Ibrahim is back in Slovakia, playing for Slovan Bratislava.

At the National team, he managed to make just five appearances for the Super Eagles.

Haruna Lookman:

Another midfielder from 2007 FIFA U17 World Cup winning squad who was likened to Okocha.

Lookman shared some attributes with the former Bolton Wanderers Captain, but he lacks the attitude, zeal and passion to excel at the highest level.

He played for European clubs like Monaco, Dinamo Kiev, Astana, Palanga, and FC Ararat Yerevan are of Armenia. He's 30-years old now and currently without a club. 

Haruna Lookman failed to live to expectations, but managed to make 13 appearances for the Super Eagles and featured at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Kelechi Nwakali :

Another FIFA U17 World Cup winner, who set the world alight with his superb skills. Nwakali is a playmaker who is capable of doing wonderful things.

After excelling at the World Cup, he joined Arsenal, and that was the beginning of his troubles. The Gunners loaned him to Dutch sides MVV Maastricht and VV Venlo. They also sent him to Portuguese side FC Porto B, where he made 16 appearances.

He later left Arsenal in a permanent deal for Spanish side Huesca. After 16 appearances, Huesca decided to allow him to join Second division side Alcorcón on loan. 

Nwakali is yet to earn his first cap for the Super Eagles, no, thanks to lack of stability at the club level.

John Mikel Obi :

Mikel is the player who came close to emulating the magician, Jay Jay Okocha. Mikel was the heir apparent to Okocha's creative throne,, but everything changed after his to Chelsea.

He went from being a creative midfielder to defensive, a role he played for many years at Chelsea.

Although, Mikel had a successful career with the national team, but he never became the many want to see. 

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Seyi Alao is a football writer and pundit. He has worked with brands like brila.net, Footballlive.ng, it'sagoal.com, Opera News and Ogun State Television. Follow him on Twitter @Seyialao

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