John Utaka has recounted how former Nigeria internationals Nwankwo Kanu and Jay-Jay Okocha served as a source of encouragement to him.
The forward watched on television as Kanu inspired the West Africans to win the 1996 Olympic Gold medal in Atlanta.
Utaka then got a chance to play with the former Arsenal star in the Super Eagles in 2000 after he was handed his first call-up following his impressive performances for Egyptian club Ismaily.
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The winger, who had 49 caps for the three-time African champions, revealed the roles of Kanu and Okocha in helping him to settle in the national team.