Jay-Jay Okocha facts for kids
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Okocha playing in a 2017 charity match
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Augustine Azuka Okocha | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 14 August 1973 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Attacking midfielder | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Enugu Rangers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1990–1992 | Borussia Neunkirchen | 35 | (7) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1992–1996 | Eintracht Frankfurt | 90 | (18) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1996–1998 | Fenerbahçe | 62 | (30) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1998–2002 | Paris Saint-Germain | 84 | (12) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002–2006 | Bolton Wanderers | 124 | (14) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2007 | Qatar SC | 41 | (6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2008 | Hull City | 18 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | Durgapur Vox Champions | 0 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 454 | (89) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1993–2006 | Nigeria | 73 | (14) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Augustine Azuka "Jay-Jay" Okocha is a famous Nigerian former footballer. He was an amazing attacking midfielder known for his incredible dribbling skills. Many people think he is one of the best African footballers ever!
Jay-Jay played for the Nigerian national team from 1993 to 2006. He played in three FIFA World Cup tournaments. He also played for many different clubs in countries like Germany, Turkey, France, and England.
Contents
Jay-Jay Okocha's Early Life and Club Career
Jay-Jay Okocha was born in Enugu, Nigeria. The nickname "Jay-Jay" was first used by his older brother, James, who also played football. His other brother, Emmanuel, was also called Emma Jay-Jay, but the name stuck with Augustine.
Like many football stars, he started playing football on the streets. He often used anything round he could find as a ball. In 1990, he joined Enugu Rangers in Nigeria.
Starting in Germany
Later in 1990, Jay-Jay visited West Germany. His friend, Binebi Numa, was playing for Borussia Neunkirchen. Okocha joined a training session and impressed the coach. He was offered a contract!
A year later, he moved to 1. FC Saarbrücken. After a few months, he joined Eintracht Frankfurt in the top German league, the Bundesliga.
Shining at Eintracht Frankfurt
Okocha joined Eintracht Frankfurt in December 1991. He played alongside famous players like Tony Yeboah. He became known for his amazing skills. One of his most famous goals was against Karlsruher SC. He dribbled past several players, even going past some twice, before scoring past goalkeeper Oliver Kahn. This goal was voted the "Goal of the Year" in Germany in 1993!
He played 90 matches for Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring 18 goals.
Moving to Turkey with Fenerbahçe
In 1996, Okocha moved to the Turkish club Fenerbahçe. He played there for two seasons. He scored 30 goals in 62 games. Many of his goals came from powerful free kicks, which became his special move.
While playing in Turkey, Okocha also became a Turkish citizen. He chose the name Muhammed Yavuz.
Becoming the Most Expensive African Player at Paris Saint-Germain
In 1998, the French team Paris Saint-Germain signed Okocha. He became the most expensive African player at that time! He played 84 matches and scored 12 goals for PSG.
During his time in Paris, he also helped a young Brazilian player named Ronaldinho. Ronaldinho later became a famous football star and won the Ballon d'Or award. Okocha helped PSG win the 2001 UEFA Intertoto Cup.
Leading Bolton Wanderers in England
In 2002, Okocha joined Bolton Wanderers in England. He quickly became a fan favorite. Fans even made shirts that said "Jay-Jay – so good they named him twice!" He scored seven goals in his first season, helping the team avoid being relegated. One of his goals was voted Bolton's "Goal of the Season."
The next season, he became the team captain. He led Bolton to the 2004 Football League Cup final, which was their first cup final in nine years. They finished as runners-up. In 2017, fans voted Okocha the best player to ever play for Bolton Wanderers at their home stadium.
Playing for Hull City
After leaving Bolton, Okocha played for Qatar SC for one season. In 2007, he joined Championship side Hull City. He played 18 games for Hull City.
Even though he had some injury problems, Hull City won promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their history! After this, Okocha decided to retire from professional football.
Jay-Jay Okocha's International Career
Okocha played his first official game for Nigeria in May 1993. In his second game, he scored a fantastic free kick against Algeria. This helped Nigeria win 4–1 and qualify for their first-ever World Cup!
African Cup of Nations and Olympic Gold
In 1994, he was part of the Nigerian team that won the 1994 African Cup of Nations. He also played in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, where Nigeria reached the second round.
In 1996, Okocha was a key player for the Nigerian Olympic team. They won the gold medal at the Atlanta Games! This team was nicknamed the "Dream Team" because they were so good. They beat Brazil in the semi-finals and came back from being 2–0 down to beat Argentina 3–2 in the final.
Later Tournaments and Recognition
Okocha played in the 1998 FIFA World Cup. He entertained fans with his amazing skills and dribbles. He was even named in the squad of the tournament.
He also captained Nigeria in the 2000 African Cup of Nations, where they reached the final. He scored three goals in that tournament. He continued to lead the Super Eagles in the 2002, 2004, and 2006 African Cup of Nations, where they finished in third place each time.
In March 2004, the legendary footballer Pelé named Okocha as one of the top 125 living footballers.
Jay-Jay Okocha's Style of Play
Jay-Jay Okocha was a quick, talented, and skillful playmaker. He usually played as an attacking midfielder. Many experts believe he is the best Nigerian footballer ever and one of the greatest African players of all time.
Okocha was famous for his confidence and clever tricks with the ball. He had amazing technique, creativity, and close control. His dribbling skills were smooth, and he loved to use feints, especially his own version of the stepover, which was nicknamed the "Okocha stepover."
He was also known for his powerful shots from long range and his ability to score from free kicks. Fans at Bolton Wanderers even had a chant that said he was "so good that they named him twice!" Okocha inspired many other African footballers and even influenced players like Mesut Özil and Ronaldinho. Because of his skill, he was sometimes called the "African Maradona."
After His Playing Career
In 2014, Okocha was added to the FIFA video game series as a "Legend," honoring his great career.
He was elected as the Chair of the Delta State Football Association in Nigeria in 2015. He has also worked as a football pundit for Supersports, giving his analysis on major tournaments.
Okocha often plays in charity matches. In 2016, he scored three goals in a charity game at the Macron Stadium. In 2021, he played in another charity match for Bolton Wanderers Legends, scoring a penalty.
Personal Life
Jay-Jay Okocha is part of the Anioma community in Nigeria. His older brother, Emmanuel, also played football for the Nigerian national team. Jay-Jay also has a nephew, Alex Iwobi, who plays for Fulham and the Nigerian national team.
Honours
Paris Saint-Germain
- Trophée des Champions: 1998
- UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2001
Bolton Wanderers
- Football League Cup runner-up: 2003–04
Hull City
- EFL Championship play-offs: 2008
Nigeria U23
- Olympic Gold medal: Atlanta 1996
Nigeria
Individual Awards
- Goal of the Year (Germany): 1993
- FIFA World Cup All-Star Team (Reserve): 1998
- Premier League Player of the Month: November 2003
- Africa Cup of Nations Best Player: 2004
- Bolton Wanderers Player of the Year: 2004–05
- IFFHS All-time Africa Men's Dream Team: 2021
- FIFA 100
See also
In Spanish: Augustine Okocha para niños
- Jay Jay Okocha Stadium
