In the buildup to the 2022 FIFA World Cup opening on Sunday, one Nigeria’s stars in the competition has come into focus. Former Super Eagles captain, Austin JJ Okocha, it has been revealed, tops the list of most dribbles in a single FIFA World Cup game since 1966.
According to a survey by Opta, the former Paris Saint Germaine midfielder made 15 successful dribbles against Italy at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States. Okocha’s dribles in the tournament, which marked Nigeria’s first time in the tournmanent, totalled 83 per cent.
Interestingly, Okocha played only one full match at USA ’94, which is the second round defeat of Nigeria by Italy. His first subtitute appearance against Argentina at the group stage fetched the terrific player two minutes on the field, while he played the last 21 minutes of the 2-0 win over Greece, a result that landed debutante Nigeria in the Round of 16 to face Italy — and exit.
In the Opta survey, Brazil’s Jairzinho and England’s Paul Gascoigne are tied in second place on the list with 13 dribbles respectively.
Jairzinho recorded his feat against Uruguay at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico while Gazza was outstanding with his skills against Cameroon at the FIFA World Cup hosted by Italy in 1990.
Italy’s Sandro Mazzola is fourth on the list. The legendary former Inter striker made 12 successful dribbles against Poland at the 1974 edition of the tournament in Germany averaging 75 per cent.
During his playing career, Mazzola won four Serie A titles in 1963, 1965, 1966 and 1971, two European Cups in 1964 and 1965 and two Intercontinental Cups in 1964 and 1965.
German winger, Reinhard Libuda, is ranked fifth on the list after recording 12 successful take-on during Germany’s clash with Bulgaria at the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico.
The trio Johan Cruyff, the late Diego Maradona and Eusebio also recorded 12 dribbles in a World Cup game.
Cruyff had 12 successful dribbles against Sweden at the 1974 edition of the tournament in Germany while Maradona recorded the same number of dribbles against England at the 1986 edition just as Eusebio did against Hungary at the 1966 edition.
The quartet Jean Tigana, Maradona, Jose Valencia, Lionel Messi also made 11 successful dribbles in a World Cup game according to Opta.
Tigana at the 1982 World against Austria recorded 11 dribbles while at the same tournament, Maradona also totaled 11 take-ons in their clash with Austria.
Jose Valencia also had 11 dribbles vs Hungary at the 1978 edition just as Lionel Messi against Mexico at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Eden Hazard had 10 successful dribbles in two games at the 2018 World Cup against Brazil and France.
Credit: The PUNCH
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