The Bolton Wanderers icon remains one of the biggest inspirations for many youngsters across the world taking their first steps in football, including Lorient’s top goalscorer
Nigerian striker Terem Moffi has spoken highly of legendary midfielder Austin Okocha, revealing the footballing advice the former Paris St. Germain star offered him when they met recently.
Moffi has been one of Nigeria’s most outstanding breakout stars in the past year, going from being a relative unknown to being considered for a Super Eagles invitation.
After moving to the less-fancied Lithuanian league in 2019, Moffi excelled for both FK Kauno Zalgiris and FK Riteriai before teaming up with Belgian side Kortrijk in January 2020 for just €150,000.
By the summer, the youngster was worth a lot more than that, with French side Lorient shelling eight million euros to snap the Nigerian from the grip of the Belgian First Division A club.
Moffi, who penned a four-year deal that could keep him at Stade du Moustoir until 2024, scored on his debut to begin his Ligue 1 sojourn on a fantastic note.
But a period of adaptation followed, with the 21-year-old managing just one more goal by the end of the year.
But 2021 has seen Moffi found the back of the net six times to fuel Lorient’s charge away from the relegation zone, and a meeting with one of Nigeria’s greatest ever footballers might have been key to his goalscoring form.
Okocha, a seven-time Nigerian Footballer of the Year, advised his younger compatriot to try and enjoy his football.
“I met him (Okocha), and he told me ‘football is easy, you don’t have to do too much,” Moffi told Ligue 1’s official website.
“Just be you, enjoy yourself!
“He was a fantastic dribbler. When I was younger, I used to watch his videos like step-overs and crossovers, it was really a big part of my game, but now I’m kind of direct except when I’m in a tight situation, I try to dazzle my way through!”
Moffi’s fast rise to stardom was rewarded recently with a place in the Super Eagles standby list for Nigeria’s Afcon engagements this month.
Brilliant footballer. Terrible adviser! Talks nonsense. Badly advised himself. Should leave talking advises to those meant for.