"Even before the World Cup I was thinking we had not been progressing, " Okocha told BBC Sport.
Jay-Jay Okocha's long-range shot was parried by Maik Taylor, and Nolan was on hand to slot home the rebound.
Okocha joined Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer in July 2002, and has scored seven goals in 45 league appearances.
BBC: SPORT | Football | African | Bolton want Okocha to stay
El-Hadji Diouf had given Bolton a first-half lead, blasting home from four yards out after Taylor had kept out an Okocha volley.
The exquisite skills of Nigeria captain Jay-Jay Okocha, who was cheered by the appreciative Harare crowd, sealed their victory in the 49th minute.
"I can't say for now because my club are struggling against going down to Division One, so that might depend on our position, " Okocha said.
It is not like Bolton's Jay-Jay Okocha or Kanu at Arsenal.
BBC: SPORT | Football | African | Tottenham appeal over Kanoute
But Nigeria coach Christian Chukwu agreed that Okocha could remain in England until January 16, when the Super Eagles leave their Portuguese training camp for Tunisia.
BBC: SPORT | Football | My Club | Bolton Wanderers | Bolton make Okocha plea
We looked like we might get a late winner today, and it was a great shot from Jay-Jay Okocha and a good follow-up from Kevin Nolan.
BBC: SPORT | Football | My Club | Bolton Wanderers | Allardyce relieved after late win
"Eguavoen is a young coach who has proven himself and I think he should be given the chance to continue, " Okocha told BBC Sport on Tuesday.
Chukwu's failure to vote means that Okocha, who narrowly missed out on the award to Morocco's Mustapha Hadji in 1998, has lost five valuable points in the voting.
BBC: SPORT | Football | African | Okocha suffers award setback
This is not the first such incident in Nigeria with Okocha and Chukwu both failing to cast their votes in the Fifa 2004 World Footballer of the Year.
BBC: SPORT | Football | African | Okocha suffers award setback
Okocha's inspirational performances and creativity aside, Allardyce is keen to retain the Nigerian's services since any potential transfer cash would only be used to service the club's debts.
BBC: SPORT | Football | African | Bolton want Okocha to stay
"After the World Cup when I went back home, they spoke to me and told me to hang in there, at least for their own sake, " Okocha revealed.
Okocha, the current BBC African Footballer of the Year, is expected to lead the Super Eagles at the three-nation Unity Cup tournament in London, which starts on 29 May.
BBC: SPORT | Football | African | Okocha looks to the future
Okocha said he hopes that Bolton, which is experiencing its longest stint in the English top flight for 41 years, can consolidate on the achievements of the last two seasons.
BBC: SPORT | Football | African | Okocha looks to the future
Where Eto'o and Diouf disappointed, Nigeria's Jay-Jay Okocha showed just why he has been a consistent international performer for over a decade - and was voted the tournament's best player.
Okocha, who twice won the BBC African Footballer of the Year award, is urging the authorities to focus more on grassroots if they plan to return to the summit of African football.
Clearly inspired by the visit of the world champions, Nigeria midfielder Austin Okocha tormented the Brazil back four with a series of dangerous chips into the spaces behind or between the defenders.
With a population of around 140 million and a reputation for producing stars such as Austin Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu and Chelsea's John Obi Mikel, the outstanding qualities of Nigerian football are beyond question.
However, in the third minute of stoppage time, Okocha drilled in a stunning shot from 30-yards which Taylor pushed away into the path of Nolan, who turned the ball into an empty net.
Bolton began to grow in confidence, and when Okocha's through-ball put Nolan clean in on goal there appeared only one outcome, but Taylor dived low to his left to produce a brilliant save.
Now leading the Super Eagles in Sunday's qualifier against Zimbabwe's Warriors, Okocha intends to make himself available for future selection, if Nigeria is unable to build a healthy lead in their qualifying group.
Okocha, who captained the Super Eagles in the 2002 World Cup after Sunday Oliseh was left out of the squad, quit international football following Nigeria's poor showing that saw them finish bottom of their group.
Okocha is due to join the Super Eagles squad on 18 December ahead of the 2004 Nations Cup finals in Tunisia, and Allardyce fully expects the 30-year-old to still be a Bolton player when he returns.
BBC: SPORT | Football | African | Bolton want Okocha to stay
Although Nigeria lost 1-0 to the Ivory Coast in Tuesday's African Cup of Nations semi-final, Okocha believes Eguavoen has started the important process of building a young, talented side that will be formidable in the future.
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