'Nigeria with Okocha and those players' - Chelsea's Koulibaly reveals memorable World Cup moment
Published: December 14, 2022
Chelsea's Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly cited Austin Okocha and the Nigeria national team as he discussed his best moments at the World Cup.
The French-born center back has seven career appearances to his name at the World Cup, including four in Qatar, where he captained the Teranga Lions and helped the current African champions reach the round of 16.
Koulibaly was seven years old when Okocha's magic mesmerized fans at the 1998 World Cup, pulling off incredible skills and dribbles he was famous for.
Celestine Babayaro, Nwankwo Kanu, Finidi George, Taribo West, Sunday Oliseh and Victor Ikpeba were some of the high profile names included in Nigeria's squad to France 1998.
Super Eagles fans were anticipating a quarterfinal showdown between Nigeria and Brazil, only for the team coached by Bora Milutinović to suffer their biggest ever defeat at the World Cup, losing 4-1 to Denmark.
On his memorable World Cup moment, Koulibaly told the official website of Chelsea : "Obviously 2002 was the last time Senegal got to the World Cup until 2018 when we went to Russia so it was a very long time, 16 years without a World Cup for Senegal. It was so long. When I went for my first time in Russia, it was amazing for me. It was my dream and I was really happy when I reached that World Cup.
"There was the Bafana Bafana World Cup in South Africa which was so good. They made all African people really proud of them because they played good football. We also had Nigeria with Jay-Jay Okocha and those players.
"It’s important to have a lot of good teams from Africa because of course an African team has still not won the World Cup. You can see that African football is progressing and moving forward, which makes me really happy."
Only Joseph Yobo (10) made more appearances than Okocha (9) at the World Cup, with both featuring in three tournaments.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
- The ultimate guide to Teen Patti Real Cash games in India – Why millions trust Teen Patti Boss
- Back-to-back goals: Man City's Super Falcons-eligible striker making a splash at U17 Euro
- Racing Genk, FC Sion monitor Flying Eagles at U20 Afcon: Six players who have caught the eye
- Teenage Nigerian forward signs new deal with Charlton Athletic ahead of next season
- 'Fantastic for the academy' - Maresca lauds George and Chelsea rising stars after win v Djurgarden
- Official: Tottenham youth product eligible for Nigeria, Malawi released by Cambridge United
- Clash of titans: Flying Eagles set for U20 Afcon quarterfinal against defending champs Senegal
- Josh Maja: Super Eagles striker capped by Gernot Rohr wins major West Brom award
- Six goals, no starting spot: Umar Sadiq fades from Valencia coach's plans despite impressive form
- Dutch-born Feyenoord product pulls out of Super Eagles squad for Unity Cup after suffering injury


- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Casinos not on Gamstop
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- 1Win
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football
- F168
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88