Jay-Jay Okocha replies

Austin "Jay-Jay" Okocha is rated as one of Nigeria's greatest players.

Okocha is a regular match winner at his French club, Paris Saint Germain, and for the Super Eagles.

A European professional for nearly 10 years, he has played in Germany and Turkey.

Now in France, the mercurial midfielder was recently revealed as the highest- paid player at PSG, where he earns a whopping $150,000 a month.

Okocha will again be a key figure in Nigeria's campaign to win the Nations Cup, and will be heading to Korea and Japan later next year.

Jay-Jay Okocha now answers the questions you have asked him.

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You are no doubt one of Africa's greatest talents. Would you consider cutting out the unneccesary showmanship and play a basic game of football?

Mark Ojo, United Kingdom.

Well, I think that for the past couple of years, I have been a changed man. I am matured now and I try to cut down on the showmanship. But I must say that my type of football is not really a show. I am still learning and I have a lot of room for improvement.

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Please, tell me what you are still doing at PSG? Aren't you good enough to play for clubs like Inter Milan and other teams in Italy and Spain?

Kenneth, Nigeria.

It's very difficult for an African to get the play maker's role in a big European clubside. I am happy here and we all can't play for the big clubs. But Paris St Germain is a big club too. If I get the opportunity to play for a big club, why not?

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I think that you are played out of position at PSG. You are a playmaker and not an attacking midfielder.

Elijah Wambua, Kenya.

In modern football, one has to be flexible. I've had the chance to play in several positions. At the moment, the coach has decided to use me in positions where the team is weak. It has denied me the chance to play in my best position but I'm okay with it because it is a sacrifice for the team.

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Do you think Nigeria has a realistic chance of making the second round of the World Cup, considering their tough group?

Demola Adefajo, Nigeria

We don't have anything to lose because people are not expecting much from us, given the difficult group. I believe that nothing is impossible in football. We might still make it but if not, we will live with it.

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Why do you think that Africa hasn¿t won the World Cup and what would you do when you retire?

Paul Ilado, Nairobi, Kenya

One reason is the lack of facilities, then there's lack of organisation. We have the talent, but in terms of organisation we are not as good as the Europeans. We don¿t have the facilities that they have. We still have a long way to go. But things are getting better as we have a lot of African players in Europe now. I think that the future belongs to us.

As far as retiring is concerned, I think it is too early for me to talk about that! I am still strong and I can still play football for the next five or six years. But if I retire, I will be involved in football because of the love that I have for it. Maybe I'll create something that will help youth players in Africa.

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Do you think the Super Eagles can win the Nations Cup in Mali?

Oloyede Ayodele, Nigeria

Of course! That's our ambition, our aim. Anything short of that will be disappointing. We are still the team to beat in Africa. Every game for us is like a final.

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Who are your favourite African and European players?

Behnjay Holt, Ghana.

It¿s difficult to say because I'm not a fan. I've realised that in football you need the whole team, so you can't pick one player as the most important one.

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What has been the happiest moment in your soccer career?

C-Max, Liberia/USA

The moment that we won the Olympics gold medal in 1996. Being the first African team to win the Olympic football tournament was a great feeling.

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What was it like to win gold in Atlanta?

Osasu Obayiuwana, London

It's difficult to describe how I felt. We never thought that we could win it but we did.

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Do you see yourself with the Super Eagles for the 2006 World Cup in Germany?

Ike Naijaman, Nigeria

I don't know for sure. It will be a bit difficult because we have young talents coming up and I don't want to frustrate their ambitions. If I see that there are better players than myself, I will make way for them.

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Have you ever considered playing in the English Premier League?

Ebohon, England

I have given it very serious thought. I would love to play in the Premiership if I get the opportunity. I hope it will be soon, while I'm still fit.

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Why does the Nigerian team always argue over money?

Nicholas Ochieng, Kenya

I don¿t think that's right. Money has not been the issue for us at any tournament.

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Ever since you scored against Algeria in Lagos in a 1994 World Cup qualifier, you¿ve found it hard scoring through free-kicks. Do you ever train hard to improve on your technique?

Wole Adewoye, Nigeria

I do. But we have many good free-kick takers at my club, so I find it hard to get the opportunity to take the free- kicks. Taking free-kicks has a lot to do with confidence and the trust that your team has in you. Once the team has no trust in you, it's difficult to take good free kicks. Without practice, it is hard to perfect my free-kick skills.

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What is the best goal that you have scored in your career?

Arthur Golde, England

That was when I was playing for Eintracht Frankfurt in the German league. And the match was against Karlsruhe.

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Do you think of inventing new dribbling skills? What advise have you got for anyone that wants to improve his dribbling skills?

Paul Timmy, Sierra Leone

I used to, but not anymore. A lot of people have criticised me for dribbling too much, so I have stopped. My advice is you should keep on practising if you want to perfect your skills.

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Why do you think that you and other Africans are not regularly short-listed for the World Player of the Year award?

Emeka Olisa, USA

It's always difficult for an African player to get the award. I think an African has to be exceptional. Many of us do not have the opportunity to show our clubs what we are capable of doing. We really have to fight for our positions before any other thing. This has been a problem for African players in Europe.

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Do you think that Senegal can beat France in next year's World Cup opening match based on your experience of playing in France and your knowledge of African soccer?

Dawda Njie, Atlanta

I am not sure that they can but I hope that they do it. They have a very good team, but we must not forget that this is their first appearance and their lack of experience might count against them.

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What do you do to relax?

Toluwalase, Nigeria

I play with my daughter. I am a family man and I spend any spare time that I have with them.

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How would you like to be remembered after your soccer playing days are over?

Remi Odubeyo, USA

I hope I would be remembered for my skills.