Okocha and Hadji to receive Caf legends awards

The duo will be honoured by the continental body during its awards gala in Accra on December 22.Thirteen years after the duo went head to head for the title of African Player of the Year, Nigeria’s Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha and Morocco’s Mustapha Hadji will be honoured next week with the Legends Award by the Confederation of African Football (Caf).Hadji won the title of Africa’s best player in 1998, narrowly edging Okocha to second place by two points. But on December 22 in Accra, Ghana, both former players will stand side by side to be honoured for their career achievements.Hadji played at two World Cups for Morocco, at USA 94 and France 98. He also featured at two Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournaments in 1998 and 2000. The former Nancy and Coventry City player scored a memorable goal against Norway in 1998 at the World Cup, but Morocco failed to make it further than the group stages.Okocha’s career was no less stellar as he played at three World Cups, five Afcon tournaments and won the Afcon once at Tunisia 1994. He also won an Olympic football gold medal in 1996.The 38-year-old former Nigeria captain was named best African player by the BBC in 2003 and 2004.