<i>Filgoal.com exclusive</i>-Okocha: Nigeria will win the African title to make up for missing on the World Cup

Port Said-Bad El Din Hassan: Nigerian veteran, Augustine "Jay-Jay" Okocha, one of the biggest names in African football, is calling it a day on his international career after the 2006 African Cup of Nations currently running in Egypt.

The 32-year-old skipper is a member of Nigeria’s golden generation that won the 1994 African Nations Cup, the Olympics gold medal in Atlanta 1996 and qualified to three consecutive World Cup finals (1994, 1998, and 2002).

Filgoal.com caught up with the Bolton Wanderers midfielder in Port Said where Nigeria are playing in Group D alongside Senegal, Ghana and Zimbabwe.

FilGoal.com: What are your feelings going into the African Cup after failing to reach the 2006 World Cup finals?

Okocha: The entire team is under pressure to do well in this tournament and give the Nigerian fans something to smile about after we failed to reach the World Cup finals.

FilGoal.com: How do you see the level of competition in your group?

Okocha: Each match Is a tournament of its own and our main objective is to reach the second round to boost the players’ confidence especially that most of them are still young and are making their African Cup debut.

My role as team captain is to motivate and motivate these young players to do their best.

FilGoal.com: Do you think Nigeria is capable of clinching a third African Cup title?

Okocha: Of course, we have a strong team that includes several talented players with excellent individual skills, pace and tactical discipline, and thanks to our marvelous coach, a great sense of teamwork.

FilGoal.com: Do you think the presence of several young players on the squad is risky in such a big tournament?

Okocha: Not at all, I think it’s more of an advantage because this way both experienced and young players will work hard to earn their place in the starting line-up.

FilGoal.com: Nigeria came third in the last two tournaments in Mali and Tunisia respectively; do you think the team can improve on that here in Egypt?

Okocha: We have earned the right to aspire for a better position, but like I said our main objective is to win our tough group and qualify to the quarter-finals in sublime fashion to let everyone know that Nigeria are strong contenders for the title.

FilGoal.com: Finally what can you say to the Nigerian supporters?

Okocha: I want them to know they have a strong team that is ready to put a smile on their faces and I ask them to pray for us so we can go on and win the African title.