Former Nigeria goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu believes Jay-Jay Okocha was a strong contender for the African Player of the Year award and his best chance of winning it was in 1998.
Okocha was famous for his dribbling skills and creativity in the middle of the park during his 18-year career but did not get his hands on the coveted continental award despite winning the 1994 Afcon title with Nigeria and the gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games among other club laurels.
The former PSG and Bolton Wanderers playmaker came close to winning the award in 1998, finishing in second-place before settling for third position in 2003 and 2004, behind Samuel Eto'o and Didier Drogba.