FIFA announced the confirmation on Saturday. The governing body recognized former Super Eagles midfielder Austin Okocha for his record performance at the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Okocha completed 15 successful dribbles in one match.
Okocha achieved the feat during Nigeria’s Round of 16 clash against Italy at the USA 1994 tournament. He faced a formidable Italian defense that included Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Costacurta.
Data from Opta showed Okocha succeeded with an 83 percent dribble completion rate in that game. Nigeria lost 2-1 in extra time after Roberto Baggio scored the winning penalty.
The Super Eagles reached the quarterfinals in that campaign. This result marked their best-ever finish at the World Cup.
FIFA highlighted the record ahead of the 2026 tournament. No player has surpassed Okocha’s mark since 1966. Brazil forward Jairzinho recorded 13 dribbles against Uruguay in 1970. England midfielder Paul Gascoigne matched that number against Cameroon at the 1990 World Cup.
Okocha earned 73 caps for Nigeria between 1993 and 2006. He scored 14 international goals. Fans and analysts praised his close control, feints and creativity throughout his career.
Okocha captained the Super Eagles at times. His skills inspired many young players in Nigeria and across Africa. FIFA described him as one of the most skillful footballers the game produced. The confirmation reinforced his status as a legend in world football.
