Okocha, Hull mates handed Premiership target

By Saliu Gbadamosi - 17.04.2008

Okocha in action for Hull CityTHOUGH he did not feature in the 3-1 demolition of FA Cup semi-finalist, Barnsley FC at Oakwell on Tuesday night, ex-Nigerian international, Austin 'Jay Jay' Okocha, and his Hull City mates have been told by manager Phil Brown, to remain focused and stay in the top two of the Coca-Cola Championship to boost their promotion bid.

The victory, courtesy of goals from Dean Marney, Ian Ashbee and Dean Windass, which was Hull’s third away victory in succession has lifted it into the second place on the Championship table with three games remaining.

“It was a fantastic result. We responded to the challenge and it was a pleasure to watch. Our job now is to stay in the top two. The opportunity is there and, if the chance to win the Championship presents itself, then that is the next challenge,”Brown was quoted by The Times.

While Okocha missed out of action for Hull City, his countryman, Kayode Odejayi, who scored the goal that ended Chelsea's FA Cup ambition, played 65 minutes for Barnsley, though he could not rescue his club from a home defeat.

The former Super Eagles captain, Tribunesports recalls, had told a radio programme in Lagos on Tuesday that he wanted to end his career playing in the top flight of English football, insisting that Hull City is capable to gain promotion at the end of the season.

"Everything is going according to plan. We are doing very well and hopefully we'll try and push for promotion this season.Nothing is impossible. It is possible to gain promotion at the end of the season and play in the premier league," Okocha said.

He noted that the Phil Brown-tutored side has a bunch of young players who are committed to the club, submitting that, "wew have a bunch of young chaps who arer very committed to the club."