To celebrate the 44th birthday of football legend, Augustine Azuka ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha, we have curated 10 facts about him. Some you may know, some you may not. Enjoy, share.
- The name Jay-Jay was actually passed down from his elder brother James, who started playing football first.
- He started playing for Enugu Rangers in 1990.
- His foray in Europe began when he accompanied his friend Binebi Numa to training in Borussia Neunkirchen, a Division 2 club in Germany. He asked to join in the training, and impressed by his skills, the coach offered him a contract.
- He made his Debut appearance for the Super Eagles in a 1993 World Cup qualifying match against Cote d’Ivoire.
- He became a citizen of Turkey when he played for Fenerbahce. His Turkish name is Muhammet Yavuz.
- During the course of his career, he scored 99 goals in 529 appearances for clubs and country.
- Okocha never won the African Player of Year award, despite coming second twice. He is arguably the best player never to win the award.
- He won the BBC African Footballer of the Year award two years in a row.
- He’s on Pele – the Brazilian Legend’s FIFA 100 greatest living footballers. He is the only Nigerian on the list, and one of 5 Africans.
- According to the official Bundesliga YouTube page, he scored the best ever goal in the history of the German Football League.