Okocha: I'm feeling the strain
The claim is sure to anger Trotters boss Sam Allardyce who has often criticised the timing of the tournament which falls in the middle of the season, with the former Paris Saint Germain star yet to rediscover the form he showed before jetting off for the tournament in Tunisia.
The ex-Fenerbahce schemer was crowned player of the tournament after guiding the Super Eagles to third place.
The African under-performed in the Carling Cup defeat to Middlesbrough on his return from the tournament and followed that up with a similar display in the 2-0 defeat to Birmingham at the weekend which prompted Allardyce to withdraw him from the game.
The 30-year-old was less than impressed about being substituted and this has sparked rumours that he is unwilling to sign a new contract with his present deal expiring in the summer.
However, Okocha says on reflection Reebok boss Allardyce was right to haul him off and also admitted he is feeling the strain of playing so many games.
"I think the African Nations Cup is affecting my form now," he told Bolton's website. "It was like playing during Christmas. I played six games in less than three weeks and with all the travelling and all the stress, it took a lot out of me, so I must admit I am a bit tired.
"I know I can't play well every week and maybe I'm going through a very difficult period now. I was disappointed with my performance on Saturday and I deserved to be replaced."
Okocha claimed his uncertain future was not proving a distraction to him and instead thought Bolton's lacklustre performance at St Andrews was probably due to the after-effects of the massive Millennium Stadium let-down.
"When you want something desperately and you lose it, no matter how hard you try to get yourself motivated, it's always difficult," said Okocha.
"What is going to happen at the end of the season is not stopping me.
"I'm not really thinking about it because no matter what, I'll still be a Bolton player until then and I owe them the obligation to perform."
