Born on August 14, 1973 (17/08/1973), he weighs between 70 and 74 kg and is between 1.7 and 1.75 m tall.
Okocha began his professional career with CCB Lions, from where he was transferred to Enugu Rangers. From Enugu he got a transfer to Eintracht Frankfurt in the 1992/1993 season. Okocha made his first international debut for Nigeria in May 1993 against Coted’ivoire in a decided qualifying match in Abidjan and distinguished himself by scoring Nigeria’s only goal in a match Nigeria lost by two goals to one (2-1) . In another world cup qualifier against Algeria in Lagos, Okocha scored a textbook free kick to level up Algeria who was with one goal. Their great performance ensured a four-one (4-1) victory over the Algerians. The way he was carried on the shoulders by ecstatic fans proved that he was indeed the hero of the day.
The 1994 Nation Cup was another excellent performance in Okocha’s career, as his performance allowed Nigeria to lift the trophy for the second time. He was selected as the best eleven (11) of the tournament.
Three months later, Okocha was with the Nigeria team after inspiring Nigeria to their first world cup appearance. Although his performance was slowed by a foot injury, as he was only able to play ninety (90) minutes against Italy and was voted best player of the match in the game he sent Nigeria from the world cup that year. Yet these feats were enough to earn him a spot in African Footballer of the Year in 1994.
Despite Okocha’s achievement in 1994, in December 1994, he was fired along with two of his club mates; Ghanaian Tony Yeboah and former German international Maurizio Gaudino, for an accusation that coach Jupp Heynckes defines as flagrant indiscipline and insubordination. The trio went their separate ways Tony Yeboah and Maurizio Gaudino left for Leeds United and Manchester City of England respectively. Okocha switched his base to Turkey with Turkish champion Fernerbache on a lucrative two-year contract worth $ 4 million.
It should be noted that the highlight of his stay in Frankfurt was the 1993/1994 season when one of his goals was adjusted to the goal of the season. The goal was classic, Okocha, as he displaced four opponents, including the goalkeeper (don’t ask the goalkeeper’s name) over and over again, before throwing the ball into the net.
Okocha chose Fernerbache ahead of other offers from Spain, France and even Germany due to his desire to play alongside his national team colleague Uche Okechukwu, who had joined Fernerbache for a second place in the Turkish championship.
Okocha again savored international glory when he entered as a substitute in Nigeria for a zero win (1-0) over Uzbekistan in the second leg of the Afro Asian Cup, before the Afro Asian Cup, he played with Nigeria in the United Cup United and scored in the three two defeat (3-2) defeat to the United States. Okocha’s great feat garnered Turkish citizenship and much publicity in 1997 for his contribution to the advancement of Turkish football. Okocha won the Turkish championship in the 1996/1997 season scoring 16 goals in 33 matches and earning a place in the UEFA Champions League, he finished as one of the top scorers in 1995/1996 and 1996/1997 with 14 and 16 goals respectively.
Okocha enriched his international career by winning by winning Africa’s first Olympic football gold medal with the Nigeria Under-23 team in Atlanta in 1996, scoring a penalty shot twice against Mexico in the quarterfinals.
Okocha’s feat in the World Cup in France 98 where he shook and dazzled Spain, Bulgaria and Denmark. Jay Jay was marked as the true class player every time he received the ball, he had thousands of spectators squirming in their seats contemplating what magic he would cast next. It was no surprise that he was nominated to the team of the tournament, even as a substitute.
France 98 coordinating president and current UEFA president Michel Platini describe Okocha as one of the few pure number 10s left in world football.
PSG coach Alain Giresse fell in love with Jay Jay when he started the play that resulted in Nigeria’s only goal against Bulgaria at Parc De Princes in Paris, which by the way is PSG’s stadium. The match ended 1-0 in favor of Nigeria. Okocha became the record-breaking French transfer and became the most expensive African player of the last millennium with a $ 18 million transfer from Fernerbache to PSG.
Okocha married Nkechi in 1997, and their first child was born when the world cup was held in 1998. The name of the girl he named Daniella. He also has a son.
He was the best player on the continent at the France 98 World Cup, he became the second best in Africa in 1998 when the award for the best African footballer of the year was awarded to Hadji Mustapha of Morocco.
Okocha participated in the 2000 Nigeria / Ghana Nation Cup, a magnificent player who scored two of Nigeria’s 4-2 defeat of Algeria. Okocha received a red card in the quarter-final tie against Senegal. He missed the semi-final match against South Africa and was Nigeria’s goal in the final against Cameroon, he scored Nigeria’s tying goal and fired a rocket home, the match ended 5-3 on penalties won by the Cameroonians.
At the 2002 Nations Cup, Okocha’s passing and skills should not be discounted as they pose a threat to the opponent, although he was denied the goal, his passing and skills were felt in matches.
With the departure and removal of the key Super Eagles players, another team was formed and Jay Jay Okocha was entrusted with the role of captaincy. Okocha captained Nigeria at the 2002 Japan Korea World Cup, although it became Nigeria’s worst world when Nigeria was grouped alongside Argentina, England and Sweden. Nigeria finished at the bottom of the table in the group, but Jay Jay Okocha’s experience and skills earned him a move for England’s Bolton Wanderers.
Okocha has mentored players like Ronaldinho, and Everton Play creator Mikel Arteta at PSG helped Bolton from relegation contender to UEFA Cup contender. He was given captaincy responsibilities after his excellent first season at Bolton.
Okocha was in the top five in the premier league in his second season at Bolton. Players like Aston Villa’s Sorensen Ray Palour and Arsenal’s Dennis Bergkamp will not forget their free kick and great skill. He helped Bolton reach his first Carling Cup final and sixth place for the first time in decades.
His performance was magnificent when he led Nigeria to Tunis in 2004, scoring the 1000th goal of the CAF Nations Cup in a 4-0 loss to South Africa. He drove home spectacular free kicks that ensure Nigeria qualify ahead of Cameroon in the quarterfinals. He was nominated for African Footballer of the Year in 2004. He was Africa’s second best player on two consecutive occasions: 2004 and 2005 respectively. He was the BBC Africa Footballer of the Year in 2004 and 2005 respectively.
Okocha was released from Bolton along with Fadiga, N’Gotty, and Matt Jensen. He decided to move to Qatar on a lucrative one-year contract, half of what Tranbzonspor had offered him. He decided to move to Qatar before Wigan, Reading and Everton.
Okocha returned to England when he was signed by a lower division that is now doing well in the main league (Hull City). Although the injury was a major setback for Jay Jay, he was with the Hull City team defeated by Chelsea in the Carling Cup. Hull City remained the only club that Okocha did not score. Hull City were promoted to the Premier League last season. He inspired Hull City to their promotion to the major league and left the club after their promotion. With the departure of Okocha from the national team it will be difficult to find a replacement to fill that great shoe of Okocha. Although young players like Lukman Haruna and Rabiu Ibrahim are showing great class, demonstration and the potential to be the next Super Eagles playmaker. It took eight years to find a replacement for Green Eagles Mudashiru Lawal. Osaro Obaifo, John ENE Okon, Friday Ekpo could not replace Lawal until the arrival of Austin Okocha. How long will it take to find a replacement for this great player named Okocha who retired from soccer as a player on June 27, 2008, said Waidi Akanmu?
