World football governing body FIFA has described legendary Nigerian midfielder Austin Okocha as one of the most electrifying players in football history.
FIFA stated this while celebrating Okocha who turned 48 years on Saturday.
“Jay-Jay Okocha: so good they named him twice,” FIFA wrote on Twitter.
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“Happy birthday to Africa’s equivalent of @10Ronaldinho and one of the most electrifying players in football history.”
Okocha was a member of the Super Eagles squad that won the 1994 AFCON in Tunisia and also featured at the World Cup that same year.
He featured at two more World Cups in France 1998 and Korea/Japan 2002.
He played a key role as Nigeria’s Dream Team won gold in the football event at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games.
In 1998 he became Africa’s most expensive player when PSG signed him from Fenerbahce for £14m.
After departing PSG in 2002, he joined Bolton Wanderers and led them to the final of the 2004 League Cup, where they lost 2-1 to Middlesbrough.
By James Agberebi
11 Comments
No be lie, happy birthday Jay Jay!!
“…Happy birthday to Africa’s equivalent of @10Ronaldinho…”
Point of correction to whoever wrote that. Ronaldinho was South America’s equivalent of Okocha.
A journalist asked Samuel Etoo….”what does it feel like to have played with messi”, He told the journalist, I didnt play with messi…messi played with me.
You are addressed the way you carry yourself.
Very very good observation @ Dr Drey. Thumbs up man.
Dr. Drey, I did not read it on that manner. My analyses is that Okocha is equivalent to 10 of Ronaldinho. The explanation is
on mathematical ration of 1:10 It does not signify the playing numbered jersey 10 of Ronaldinho because Okocha also wears number 10. Even when both played at PSG Okocha was wearing the number 10. So, the conclusion represents that 10 of Ronaldinho valued at only one of Okocha.
Ronaldinho once said he normally copy JJ on training @Paris, his a wizard..
#HBD @Pa-Jey
Yes, you are correct because before then Ronaldinho did not master how to step on the ball for entire control. He copied such skill successfully from Okocha and many more. I am proud of him for giving him that credit. Many soccer dribbling skills and movements exhibited by the majority of players today were prototype of Okocha.
His dribbles are eye catching and self originated a man with purpose driven…can still remember the free kick he scored against Cameroon at afcon …happy birthday to a man I love watching in green and white Jersey.
Solo, I am in the same shoes with you. Indeed, I wish to meet that guy one day before I pass to the world beyond because I have some questions for him. My only problem is that I am aging fast. I am trying to make a book for him.
If he were a white, he would have won the world best player over and over.
I still cringe with a sense of betrayal when I reflect on the injustice that was done to Jay-Jay by CAF: denying him of a well-merited APOY. You know what? That denial has forcefully presented CAF for what it is–a bigoted corrupt institution.
Happy birthday to you Mr. Okocha. God bless your new age Jay Jay . God bless Nigeria!!!