a écrit le 3 octobre 2005 à 19h19 Okocha ruled out of Nigeria game
We do have the problem that Nigeria could ask Jay-Jay to travel even though there is no chance of him playing
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce on Jay Jay Okocha's injury
The manager of Bolton Wanderers says Jay-Jay Okocha will be unable to play in Nigeria's last World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe on Saturday.
Sam Allardyce, the manager of the English Premiership side, said the Nigeria captain sustained a groin injury during their 2-1 defeat to Wigan on Sunday.
"He felt the groin go when tracking back to nullify Wigan's attack," Allardyce told his club's website.
"It is a huge worry for us and as a worse case scenario he could be out for up to four weeks.
"We will make an assessment over the next couple of days and hope he'll be back when we return from the international break."
Knowing that Nigeria can still compel Okocha, under Fifa rules, to travel home for the qualifier, Allardyce hopes they will allow the player to rest in Bolton.
This, he said, will help the player recover for their Premiership game against Chelsea.
"We do have the problem that Nigeria could ask him to travel even though there is no chance of him playing.
"If that is the case, they will examine him and then send him back, which would mean we could lose up to a week of important recovery time.
"I'm sure Jay-Jay has enough power to have a word with the Nigerian coach to explain that it would make a lot more sense for him to stay in England and rest.
"We have an excellent relationship with the Nigerian FA and I am sure common sense will prevail."
Austin Eguavoen, Nigeria's coach subsequently told BBC Sport they will not invoke the Fifa rules to force Okocha to report for the game.
WHAT EXACTLY ARE THOSE FIFA RULES?? (En pensant a Lauren).
Okocha, who has not played for Nigeria since their home qualifier against Angola, will appear at his fourth consecutive World Cup finals should the Super Eagles qualify for Germany 2006.
We do have the problem that Nigeria could ask Jay-Jay to travel even though there is no chance of him playing
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce on Jay Jay Okocha's injury
The manager of Bolton Wanderers says Jay-Jay Okocha will be unable to play in Nigeria's last World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe on Saturday.
Sam Allardyce, the manager of the English Premiership side, said the Nigeria captain sustained a groin injury during their 2-1 defeat to Wigan on Sunday.
"He felt the groin go when tracking back to nullify Wigan's attack," Allardyce told his club's website.
"It is a huge worry for us and as a worse case scenario he could be out for up to four weeks.
"We will make an assessment over the next couple of days and hope he'll be back when we return from the international break."
Knowing that Nigeria can still compel Okocha, under Fifa rules, to travel home for the qualifier, Allardyce hopes they will allow the player to rest in Bolton.
This, he said, will help the player recover for their Premiership game against Chelsea.
"We do have the problem that Nigeria could ask him to travel even though there is no chance of him playing.
"If that is the case, they will examine him and then send him back, which would mean we could lose up to a week of important recovery time.
"I'm sure Jay-Jay has enough power to have a word with the Nigerian coach to explain that it would make a lot more sense for him to stay in England and rest.
"We have an excellent relationship with the Nigerian FA and I am sure common sense will prevail."
Austin Eguavoen, Nigeria's coach subsequently told BBC Sport they will not invoke the Fifa rules to force Okocha to report for the game.
WHAT EXACTLY ARE THOSE FIFA RULES?? (En pensant a Lauren).
Okocha, who has not played for Nigeria since their home qualifier against Angola, will appear at his fourth consecutive World Cup finals should the Super Eagles qualify for Germany 2006.
