The World Cup Record Still Held By Okocha That May Be Impossible To Break, Not Even By Hazard

Published: August 14, 2018

Former Nigeria international Austin Okocha turns 45 today, August 14 and in honour of his achievements, Squawka has reminded everyone that he is a holder of a footballing record at the World Cup.

The former Paris Saint-Germain number ten represented Nigeria at three World Cups 1994, 1998 and 2002, playing nine matches in total.

''Happy birthday, Jay-Jay Okocha! 🇳🇬 Since @OptaJoe collected data in 1966, no player has completed more take-ons in a single World Cup game: 15 vs. Italy in 1994. ...they tweeted twice,'' Squawka tweeted.

Okocha's record is not to be confused with Hazard's as the Belgium dazzler holds the record for the most dribbles attempted by a player with a 100% success rate in a World Cup match since 1966, a record he set against Brazil last month after completing all ten of his dribbles.

Oghenekaro Etebo had completed the most dribbles in a single game at the 2018 World Cup, with nine attempted and nine completed in Nigeria's 2-0 loss to Croatia in their opening match in Group D on June 16, before it was surpassed by the Chelsea number ten.

Austin Okocha played for a total of seven clubs abroad, including Borussia Neunkirchen, Eintracht Frankfurt, Fenerbahçe, Bolton Wanderers, Qatar SC and Hull City.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel