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Osaze Odemwingie has confessed that it has not been the same with the Super Eagles since the exit of Austin Jay Jay Okocha from the team two years ago.
The national team have been inundated with uncomplimentary remarks lately especially since their dismal outing at the last Nations Cup in Ghana. The most popular among the derogatory names is the tag of ‘Super Chickens’ in place of Super Eagles.

In an exclusive chat with Saturday Sunsport in Warri recently, the Lokomotiv Moscow FC of Russia enterprising forward, described Okocha as a prime motivator, whose phenomenal presence not only gave the members of the team confidence, but also caused fear and panic among their opponents on the pitch.

Hear him: "Jay Jay was a great leader. He was not only a great passer of the ball, but he gave the team confidence on the pitch. He has got immense talents and has a big personality."
He went on: "Okocha made the difference in the national team at difficult moments by rising up to the occasion. When he was around, we were never intimidated whenever we played against big names. His presence gave us a lot of confidence.

"Though we still have big names in Eagles, I wish we could have another Jay Jay in the next generation," he said.

The search for a playmaker for the Super Eagles has dominated football discourse lately. Although many believe that the vacuum left by Okocha’s exit would be difficult to fill, Osaze, who is among the few names being touted to assume the role of a playmaker for the Nigerian team, said he’s not yet ready to take up the special role on permanent basis, but hopes to do so sometime in the future.
"I have my own qualities -good runs and good shooting ability. But a playmaker requires much more than those qualities. However, I believe that in some games I can take the role when it’s necessary.
"It’s possible that I could become the Eagles’ playmaker someday because I have the qualities," the former Bendel Insurance FC of Benin player said.

Osaze, who featured in penultimate Thursday’s Testimonial Match in honour of Okocha, believes that the retired Super Eagles’ captain should have hung on to the round leather game for a little more time. He, however, confessed that the historic Testimonial Match had motivated him the more to give his best in the game of football so that he could attract the kind of testimonial match as was given to the retired midfield marvel.

"I told Jay Jay before the Testimonial Match that he did not look like someone who was tired of playing football and everybody saw him doing his usual thing in the match despite the waterlogged pitch.

"I learnt a lot from the Testimonial Match. I saw how a whole country and the world could appreciate someone’s talent and dedication to football.
"It made me feel that I’m doing the right thing. It’s a massive moment in my football career. It was great working with Okocha. He’s a great guy. I feel motivated to work harder in order to have a retirement like his and to be recognised by the whole world.

"I think Jay Jay is a good example for us, the younger players. I personally want to work hard to achieve what he has achieved in football. I know it’s not going to be easy, but it’s possible," Osaze stated.