Eswatini youngsters need discipline, focus – Okocha to ‘Dino’

By Chris Dlamini

A historic meeting!

Nigerian football legend Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha has shared crucial advice with Manzini Central High School Principal and Eswatini Sport and Recreational Council (ESRC) Board Chairman Celucolo ‘Dino’ Dlamini.

The two head honchos randomly met during breakfast in Rwanda where they are both on separate business.

“It was a random meeting but I must say Okocha is a humble man. He gave me 30 minutes of his time after we met and I introduced myself.

He was excited that I come from Eswatini, telling he once visited the kingdom,” said Dlamini who is expected home on Friday or Saturday at the latest.

Dlamini said he had quite a good conversation and he asked Okocha how Eswatini’s youth could emulate him and be as successful as he was in his football career.

“His response was quite straightforward. He said every youngster with talent and willing to use it successfully, needed self-discipline, focus and extra training,” said Dlamini.

He said it was an honour to meet such a great footballing legend who is even respected by the world’s most gifted player in Brazilian legend, Ronaldinho.

“I’m certain our meeting will go a long way in helping us shape our soccer team and other athletes in my school ahead of next year’s school’s sports.

Okocha even revealed that extra training, even when its off-season, helps a great deal. He was speaking from experience,” said Dlamini.

Meanwhile, Dlamini is in Rwanda on ESRC business since Monday. It is also worth mentioning that Okocha played his football in Europe for Bolton Wanderers,

Hull City in England, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in France, and Eintracht Frankfurt as well as Fenerbache among others in a club career spanning from 1990 to 2008. He last appeared for Nigeria in 2006.