By Farayi Mungazi BBC Sport

Jay-Jay Okocha is yet to decide if he will be at the Nations Cup

This is an open letter to Jay-Jay Okocha, captain of Nigeria and one of the finest African footballers of the modern era.

Jay-Jay, Africa and the rest of the world have watched you in action for many years.

We hope to watch you one last time at the 2006 Nations Cup finals in Egypt.

You have brought pleasure to so many fans and this is why many of them are rather concerned that you may have played your last game in a Super Eagles shirt.

Speculation over your international future is rife because you recently hinted that you were becoming increasingly disillusioned with life as a Super Eagle.

Okocha slams Nigeria

No one doubts that you have been devastated by Nigeria's failure to qualify for the World Cup finals but do not let that setback ruin your appetite for Africa's own football spectacle.

Yes, we all know that being captain of Nigeria is not an easy task, but you have shown that you are capable of true leadership under extremely difficult circumstances, which has earned you the respect of a large part of the football community.

This World Cup failure may trigger various changes in Nigerian football - and it should - because there is plenty of dead wood in the Nigerian game to be gotten rid of, but I believe you still have plenty to offer.

Jay-Jay Okocha receives the 2003 BBC award from Stephen Keshi

After all, at the drop of a hat, you can change the course of a game and win it for your team. You are a pleasure to watch because you generate excitement with almost every touch of the football.

You have established a reputation for yourself as one of the best midfielders in the English Premiership. Your ability to read the game more than compensates your slight lack of pace.

And, of course, you are a real gentleman off the pitch. What a pleasure to spend time with you during the last Nations Cup in Tunisia when you won the BBC African Footballer of the Year award.

Jay-Jay's football journey

You were also deservedly named Player of the Tournament in the 2004 finals. The Nations Cup is tailor-made for players of your class and experience.

Jay-Jay, there is no doubt that you are the kind of player every coach would love to have in his team, hard-working and always capable of scoring the match-winner.

It would be a crying shame not to see you take part in the 25th edition of the Nations Cup finals.

One last time, Jay-Jay. Please.