In 1993, playing for Eintracht Frankfurt against Karlsruhe, Jay-Jay Okocha dribbled past the goalkeeper and defenders again and again before scoring. The goal became one of the most famous in Bundesliga history and was voted Germany’s Goal of the Year. It was only the start.
Augustine Azuka Okocha was born in Enugu in 1973. He learned his skills in street football, playing with whatever ball he could find. He was nicknamed Jay-Jay after his older brother, also a footballer, was known as Jay.
Europe
Okocha moved to Germany as a teenager and played for Borussia Neunkirchen before joining Eintracht Frankfurt. His tricks, feints and flicks made him a favourite with fans. He then moved to Fenerbahçe in Turkey, where he became a hero and even obtained Turkish citizenship.
In 1998, Paris Saint-Germain signed him for a fee that made him one of the most expensive African players at the time.
Olympic gold
Okocha was part of the Nigerian team that won the football gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, beating Brazil and Argentina. He also played at three World Cups for Nigeria, in 1994, 1998 and 2002, and won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994. A decade later, as captain, he was named the best player of the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia.
Bolton
In 2002, Okocha joined Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League. Under manager Sam Allardyce, he became the team’s star and captain, and his skills lit up English football. Fans chanted that he was so good they named him twice. He helped Bolton reach the League Cup final in 2004.
Style
Okocha was known for step-overs, rainbow flicks and audacious tricks, but also for his vision and passing. Players including Ronaldinho have spoken admiringly of him. He never won the African Footballer of the Year award, one of the great oddities of African football.
After football
Okocha later played in Qatar and for Hull City before retiring. He has worked as a football pundit and ambassador and was involved in football administration in Delta State.
Family
His nephew Alex Iwobi became a professional footballer in England and plays for Nigeria.
Okocha played football as if it were a performance. For many fans across Africa and Europe, he remains the most entertaining player they ever saw.
