Fun facts about Nigeria’s Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha

Austine Jay Jay Okocha was born in Enugu, Nigeria, on the 14th day of August 1973. He was only a youth player at his hometown in Enugu State for a while before crossing over to Europe to build his career. Other famous footballers that have played for Enugu Rangers includes Taribo West and John Utaka.

His real name is Augustine Azuka Okocha, but after a while in Europe, he got the nickname “jay-jay” due to his mesmerizing and breathe-taking style of play.

Austin “jay-jay” Okocha moved to Germany in 1990 and played in the German leagues until 1996. He began his career in 1990 at Borussia Neunkirchen before he got snapped up by Eintracht Frankfurt in 1992 after thrilling German footballs fans all over the country with his trickery and eye for goal.

Austin Okocha signed for Eintracht Frankfurt in January 1992. He spent four years at the club, scoring 25 goals in 116 appearances. 
His goal against Karlsruher SC where he dribbled several players in the penalty box before putting the ball past goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, was voted “Goal of the Year” in Germany in 1993.

In 1996, Okocha joined Turkish side Fenerbahçe, where he linked up with compatriot Uche Okechukwu, who played as a centre back.

At Fenerbahce, he scored 32 goals in 76 games, with many of his goals being direct freekicks.

During his time there, he acquired Turkish citizenship and adopted the name “Muhammed Yavuz.”

Okocha became the most expensive African player when PSG signed him for £14 million in 1998. He spent four years in Paris, scoring 20 goals in 112 appearances.

He was an integral part of the Nigerian team that won gold in the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta. He made 75 appearances in the national colours, netting 14 times in the process. He was eventually made the national team’s skipper and also earned a move to Paris Saint Germain in France where he was under-studied by one of Brazil’s finest trick bags, Ronaldinho Gaucho.

Altogether, Okocha managed to hit the back of the net 99 times for both club and country in a total of 530 appearances. Most of these goals are unforgettable coupled with his tremendous ability on the ball. He will be remembered as one of the greatest footballers to emerge from the continent of Africa.