Jay Jay Okocha cost Mabika his job

Jay Jay Okocha cost Mabika his job

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By Sports Reporter

ZIMBABWE'S top football commentator Charles Mabika has been axed from his TV and radio job - for praising Jay Jay Okocha's ball artistry!

Mabika, by far Zimbabwe's most recognisable voice on radio for the past 20 years was accused of being unpatriotic in his commentary when Zimbabwe hosted Nigeria in a World Cup qualifier last Sunday.

The Nigerians won 3-0, and the home fans cheered whenever Bolton Wanderers skipper Okocha touched the ball.

Mabika has not commented on his dismissal by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings last Tuesday, but friends say he is devastated.

"Charles lives, eats and drinks football. Taking the mic away from him is the worst thing you can ever do to him. But he is hopeful some sanity will prevail and he will get his job back," a friend said.

"His biased comments were unmistakably tailored to give the visitors an upper hand even when the match was still far from being decided," Masimba Karikoga wrote in the official Herald newspaper which led calls for his sacking.

"While an entire nation watched with a degree of optimism that the Warriors would overcome their setback - they conceded two early goals in the second and 25th minutes - the burly and blundering commentator went overboard in his praise for the Nigerians.

"So dazzled was Mabika with the skills of Austin "Jay Jay" Okocha that in the end television technicians had to replay most of the Nigerian midfielder's moves over and over again at the instigation of the commentator.

"Overally, Mabika's commitment to the Zimbabwean team appears in serious doubt judging by the manner in which he would applaud and marvel at just about everything that the Nigerians did at every turn."

The Herald's man also said Mabika should not have mentioned that Jay Jay Okocha earns £45 000 per week at Bolton Wanderers in England or that he travelled with a personal physiotherapist!
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