NIGERIA'S football hierarchy are hoping to persuade Jay-Jay Okocha to show some flexibility in his future commitments to the Super Eagles.

The new Wanderers captain announced last week that he would cut back on friendlies to help him focus on his Premiership duties and subsequently withdrew from the Nigerian squad for their midweek game in Japan, which they lost 2-0.

Nevertheles Taiwo Ogunjobi, chief executive of the Nigeria FA, hinted that his association was hoping Okocha would reconsider when he said: "We would have loved to have him in this game as we continue our preparations for the African Nations Cup.

"But he has asked to be left out because of club commitments and as such we will not force him to play for his country. We, however, hope that he will honour our subsequent invitations as he is still our captain."