Ajayi snubs Kanu, Okocha; picks Egyptian as role model

Super Eagles newbie, Junior Ajayi, has oddly snubbed his famous compatriots, Nwankwo Kanu and Jay-Jay Okocha, as role models.

Kanu and Okocha are undoubtedly Nigeria’s finest exports of their generation with many youngsters modelling their game after the pair.

Instead of the duo, however, Ajayi sojourned to Egypt for inspiration, settling for Mohamed Aboutreika.

On his preference for Aboutreika, Ajayi who plays for Egyptian champions, Al Ahly, stated: “he has magical touches and skills.”

“I used to watch him with Egypt in the African Cup of Nation when I was in Nigeria and I like him very much.”

Besides winning the Africa Cup of Nations twice, Aboutreika won over 25 titles while at Ahly.

And Ajayi, 22, who joined Al Ahly in 2016 with two years left on his contract has expressed his interest in remaining with the Red Devils for a longer time.

“I don’t mind renewing with Al Ahly,” Ajayi told Egyptian TV channel CBC Extra. “I still have a couple of years left on my contract but I would be happy if Al Ahly wants to renew my contract.”