Former Manchester United and England centre-back Gary Pallister has opened up about his toughest Premier League opponents — and Nigerian legend Daniel “The Bull” Amokachi ranks high on that list.
In an exclusive chat with Completesports.com, Pallister described the former Super Eagles forward as “a real handful,” praising his pace, power, and finishing during his time at Everton in the mid-1990s.
Amokachi, who earned the nickname The Bull for his physical style, played for Everton between 1994 and 1996, scoring ten goals in 43 appearances and helping the club lift both the 1995 FA Cup and Community Shield.
Pallister, who featured in over 300 games for Manchester United, said:
“Daniel Amokachi was a striker with immense pace and power, but he was also a great finisher. You couldn’t bully him, and you couldn’t give him any space because he was quick.”
Despite United’s 2-0 win in one of their meetings, Pallister admitted Amokachi “caused real problems” and left a lasting impression despite his short stay in the English top flight.
Pallister went on to compare Amokachi to some of the Premier League’s most physically dominant strikers of the 90s — Alan Shearer, John Fashanu, and Mick Harford — noting that defenders couldn’t easily overpower such players.
“Physicality was a big thing in the Premier League, but when you add pace, it gives defenders a lot of problems. Players like Amokachi were nightmares to deal with.”
Pallister also showered praise on Nigeria’s golden generation of the 1990s, calling them “immensely talented footballers who could change games on their own.”
He spoke fondly of Jay-Jay Okocha, describing him as “a joy to watch” and comparing him to Eric Cantona for his flair and creativity.
“Eric and Jay-Jay were both mavericks. You couldn’t really put them into a structure — you just gave them the ball and let them work their magic.”
He added that Nwankwo Kanu was another standout from that era, calling him “leggy and languid but technically brilliant.”
“Kanu was tall, calm, and classy. He could glide past players effortlessly — one of the most gifted big strikers I faced.”
While Amokachi’s Premier League spell lasted just two seasons, his impact clearly lives on. His power-packed style, combined with Nigeria’s golden generation’s artistry, helped establish African players as dominant forces in English football.
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