Okocha to end Nigeria career
Jay-Jay Okocha has announced that he will retire from international football in 2006.
Bolton midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha has announced that he will retire from international football next year.The Nigeria captain has been capped 64 times by his country and hopes to go out on a high at next year's World Cup finals in Germany.
"If we make it then it will be my last World Cup and if we don't, then that is how I will end my international career," Okocha said.
The 32-year-old looks set to be disappointed, though, as his national team face stiff competition from Angola to progress to the tournament.
Nigeria must win against Zimbabwe on Saturday and hope that group leaders Angola fail to beat Rwanda in order to qualify.
Okocha has been ruled out of the Zimbabwe clash with a groin injury, but is confident that his team-mates will ensure he has the opportunity of becoming the first African to play in four consecutive World Cups.
"I'm optimistic about our qualification on Saturday as it'll be the fourth World Cup for me and my country."
Okocha picked up the injury during Bolton's 2-1 defeat to Wigan last Sunday and could be out for up to three more weeks.
