Fantastic player — Brazil legend Zico names Ex-Super Eagles star as greatest African player

The debate over the greatest African footballer of all time is a fierce one, featuring world-class legends like Nwankwo Kanu, George Weah, Didier Drogba, and Samuel Eto'o.

Now, Brazilian icon Zico, a three-time World Cup participant, has weighed in with his opinion.

The Brazilian legend believes Nigeria's own Jay-Jay Okocha stands high above the competition, reserving particular admiration for the midfielder's signature flair and creativity.

Okocha, now 52, made 73 appearances for the Super Eagles, scoring 14 memorable goals.Speaking to former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel about the best African player he had ever seen, Zico was quick to single out the Nigerian playmaker, describing his style as "fantastic"

“I like Okocha, he was a fantastic player. Number 10, Okocha. Eto’o, fantastic. George Weah, Drogba.”

Zico, who is often cited as one of the game's finest playmakers, also affirmed that his compatriot, Pele, remains the undisputed greatest footballer of all time.

Jay-Jay Okocha remains one of Africa’s best ever footballers, a player who embodied flair and entertainment. His exceptional skills, dazzling dribbling, and famous trickery were celebrated worldwide, even earning him the iconic nickname: “so good they named him twice.”

As a leader, he captained Bolton Wanderers to European qualification for the first time in their history and played a vital role in Nigeria’s AFCON 1994 and Olympic Gold 1996 triumphs.