Liverpool Legend, Patrik Berger, Excited by Football Talents in Nigeria

*Describes Okocha as “magical, best entertainer ever”

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Former Liverpool midfielder, Patrik Berger, who was in Lagos at the weekend courtesy Standard Chartered Bank, is enthused by the talent displayed by young Nigerian footballers he worked with.

Berger who played seven seasons at Anfield winning five trophies before moving to other teams in the English Premier League, was in the country along with two Liverpool coaches to have training seasons with some selected kids on the Lagos Island.

The former Czech international who will forever be remembered for his feat at Euro ‘96 in England when along with Pavel Nedved, Karel Poborsky and Vladimir Smicer, led the Eastern European nation to the final before bowing to Germany, said Nigeria remain full of football talents.

“I saw great talents in some of the kids who were between 7 and 17 years. They were enthusiastic about all that the coaches were offering. Even when it started to drizzle, they refused to leave the pitch. I really would  love to see one or two of them play for Nigeria’s senior team  and Liverpool very soon,” observed Berger fondly called ‘the Bomb’ by English media at the dinner party thrown by Standard Chartered to round up the event.

Although his trip to Lagos is Berger’s first visit to Africa, he displayed good knowledge of players from the continent that have made their marks in the Premier League. He however described Yakubu Aiyegbeni whom he played with at Portsmouth as his favorite Nigerian player.

“I played with Yakubu (Aiyegbeni) at Portsmouth and I must say he is one of the greatest African players I ever met. He is so strong, played with passion and he usually cracks jokes with us on our way to training,” recalled Berger.

Despite his love for Aiyegbeni, Berger described Austin Jay Jay Okocha as the best entertainer football has ever seen.

“Jay Jay Okocha was magical. He was doing things with the ball that you begin to wonder where such skills come from. He was the best entertainer in football,” he noted with excitement in his tone.

Before arriving England for Euro ‘96 and ultimately switching to Liverpool, Berger started his career in his own country with Slavia Prague. He  spent a season in Germany playing for Borussia Dortmund where he shone ahead of the European Championship. 

After Liverpool, he played at Portsmouth, Stoke and Aston Villa before hanging his boots.

Asked why he’s not considering taking up coaching like some of his Czech teammates, Berger turned red, insisting he will never be a coach.

“No, I will never go into coaching because the job is too demanding. I will rather continue with my fishing business and also inspire young children who are interested in playing football,” was his curt reply .

Head, Corporate Affairs and Brand Marketing, Standard Chartered Bank, Aderugbo Dayo, was full of appreciation for  Berger and the two Liverpool coaches who were part of the tour to Nigeria.

“As shirt sponsors of Liverpool, we are excited to have legends from Anfield in our midst and hope the kids will be inspired by the lessons they picked up from the sessions with them. We want to also express our appreciation to the kids and everyone who made this event a success,” concludes Dayo in her vote of thanks.