10 interesting facts about Jay Jay Okocha

To celebrate the 44^th 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.

1. The name Jay-Jay was actually passed down from his elder brother James, who started playing football first.
2. He started playing for Enugu Rangers in 1990. 
3. 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.
4. He made his Debut appearance for the Super Eagles in a 1993 World Cup qualifying match against Cote d’Ivoire.
5. He became a citizen of Turkey when he played for Fenerbahce. His Turkish name is Muhammet Yavuz.
6. During the course of his career, he scored 99 goals in 529 appearances for clubs and country.
7. Okocha never won the African Player of Year award, despite coming second twice. He is arguably the best player never to win the award.
8. He won the BBC African Footballer of the Year award two years in a row. 
9. 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.
10. According to the official Bundesliga YouTube page, he scored the best ever goal in the history of the German Football League.