'I Love Okocha' - Yaya Toure praises Super Eagles legend ahead of AFCON battle with Côte d'Ivoire

Football fans in Africa and around the world appreciated Super Eagles icon Jay Jay Okocha for his entertaining playing style before he retired from the game.

Yaya Toure, a former player for Manchester City, has publicly commended Austin Jay Jay Okocha for his extraordinary inventiveness in creating the ideal African football player.

Toure noted that he was impressed by Okocha's football acumen in his heyday, when he was playing for Germany, France, and finally England.

He was also listing qualities that he desired in a player and Okocha was at the top.

During his playing career, Okocha's dribbles captured the attention of numerous European clubs, making him an internationally renowned footballer.

He said: “Okocha, I love Okocha in that period.”

The ideal player for Toure would have the right foot of Samuel Eto, the left foot of Kanga Akale, the speed of Bakare Koni, the strength of Didier Drogba, and the legendary football knowledge of Okocha.

The former Barcelona star praised Okocha for his football acumen and professed his affection for him in his younger years.

One of Africa's finest football players, the former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder scored 14 goals in 73 caps for the Nigerian national team between 1993 and 2006.

He played in a number of leagues in Europe over his lengthy career, beginning in July 1990 with Borussia Neunkirchen in Germany's third division following a move from Enugu Rangers.

Toure's praise for Okocha comes as the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Elephants of Ivory Coast are set to face off in a group stage fixture at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.