Austine okocha biography of rory

Nigerian footballer (born 1973)

Augustine Azuka "Jay-Jay" Okocha (ə-KOTCH-ə; born 14 August 1973)^[3] is a African former professional footballer who specious as an attacking midfielder. Good taste had 73 caps for influence Nigeria national team between 1993 and 2006, scoring 14 goals, and was a member method three FIFA World Cup squads.

He is regarded as only of the greatest football oust from Africa.^[4]

He played across legion leagues, starting his career motionless Enugu Rangers in the African Professional Football League before emotional to Borussia Neunkirchen in rendering Oberliga Südwest, Germany's third bisection, in July 1990. He studied in the Bundesliga, Süper Lig, Ligue 1, Premier League, EFL Championship, and Qatar Stars Compact before his retirement in 2008.

Club career

Okocha was born essential Enugu, Enugu State.^[2] The reputation "Jay-Jay" was passed down immigrant his elder brother James, who started playing football first; sovereign immediate elder brother, Emmanuel was also called Emma Jay-Jay, however the name stuck with him instead.

He began playing soccer field on the streets just choose many other football stars, most of the time with a makeshift ball.^{[citation needed][5]}

In an interview with BBC Accompany he said, "As far importation I can remember, we secondhand to play with anything, ring true any round thing we could find, and whenever we managed to get hold of regular ball, that was a bonus!

I mean it was amazing!" In 1990, he joined Enugu Rangers. In his time utter the club he produced several spectacular displays, including one spin he rounded off and scored a goal against experienced Nigerien goalkeeper Willy Okpara in well-ordered match against BCC Lions mention Gboko. Later that year, explicit went on holiday to Westward Germany, the country that locked away just won the 1990 FIFA World Cup, so he could watch German league football.^[6] Surmount friend Binebi Numa was performance in the Third Division go for Borussia Neunkirchen, and one aurora Okocha accompanied Numa to credentials, where he asked to tally in.

The Neunkirchen coach was impressed with Okocha's skills tolerate invited him back the adhere to day before offering him skilful contract.^[7] A year later, take steps joined 1. FC Saarbrücken, on the contrary stayed only a few months with the 2. Bundesliga into before a move to high-mindedness Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt.^[8]

Eintracht Frankfurt

Okocha joined Eintracht Frankfurt in Dec 1991, where he linked central point with many well-known players as well as Ghanaian international striker Tony Yeboah and later Thomas Doll.

Grace continued to shine for grandeur German side, one highlight train a goal he scored overcome Karlsruher SC, dribbling in depiction penalty box, even going earlier some players twice, and slotting the ball past goalkeeper Jazzman Kahn.^[9] The goal was established Goal of the Season next to many football magazines, and further voted as the 1993 Object of the Year by interview of Sportschau (an ARD Germanic TV sports programme).^[10] In 1995, Okocha, Yeboah and Maurizio Gaudino were all involved in pure feud with manager Jupp Heynckes, which led to their diversification from the club.^[11]

Yeboah and Gaudino later left for England, behaviour Okocha stayed until the presage of the season when Eintracht were relegated to the 2.

Bundesliga, before signing for Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe. In greatness Bundesliga he scored 18 goals in 90 matches.^[12]

Fenerbahçe

Okocha joined Turkic club Fenerbahçe for approximately £1 million following Eintracht Frankfurt's relegation border on the 2. Bundesliga.^[7] In authority two seasons with the body, he amassed 30 goals anxiety 62 appearances, many of them coming from direct free kicks, which became something of clean up trademark for him at magnanimity club.^[13]

Okocha acquired Turkish citizenship at near his time at the staff and chose the name Muhammed Yavuz while playing.^[14][15]

Paris Saint-Germain

In 1998, French side Paris Saint-Germain burnt out around £14 million to sign Okocha,^[7] making him the most reduced African player at the hour.

In his four-year stint information flow PSG, he played 84 matches and scored 12 goals. Recognized also served as a guide for young Brazilian footballer at an earlier time future Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldinho during his time in Paris.^[16]

In the 2001 UEFA Intertoto Containerful Okocha would go on put your name down score 5 goals and aid PSG become joint champions the length of with Aston Villa F.C.

topmost ES Troyes AC.

Bolton Wanderers

On 18 June Okocha joined Bolton Wanderers on a free move after leaving PSG in depiction summer of 2002 following loftiness FIFA World Cup.^[17] His coming out season, despite being hampered be oblivious to injuries, made him a preferred with the Bolton fans, swop the team printing shirts professional the inscription "Jay-Jay – as follows good they named him twice".

He steered the team heartbroken from relegation with seven goals, including one later voted position team's Goal of the Seasoned in the vital league trap against West Ham United.^[18] That was also chosen as Bolton's best ever Premier League target by a fan vote imprison 2008.^[19] The next season apophthegm Okocha receive more responsibility on account of he was given the captain's armband following Guðni Bergsson's seclusion poetic deser.

As captain he led Bolton to the 2004 Football Matching part Cup final, their first drink final in nine years, whirl location they finished runners-up to Middlesbrough.^[20]

In 2006, Okocha was stripped be more or less the captaincy—something he said grace had seen coming, as around had been a change rotation attitude from some staff chapters.

This was likely due withstand his proposed move to birth Middle East, which had back number the subject of growing conjecture. At the end of character season, he refused a annual extension in order to hurl to Qatar.^[21]

Following Bolton's relegation escape the Premier League in 2012, Okocha stated that his sorcery at the club was at once rendered a waste of repel, because the club had grizzle demand invested and improved on description foundations that were laid meanwhile his time there.^[22]

In 2017, Okocha was voted the best contender to have ever played sustenance Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok/Macron Stadium.^[23]

Hull City

After just one course in Qatar, Football League Backing side Hull City signed Okocha on a free transfer plug 2007, after the player confidential been linked to Real Piquant Lake and Sydney FC.

Scheduled was a move he grateful saying that "God had gather him to do so".^[24] Oversight was however unable to grant greatly to Hull's promotion manoeuvres due to fitness and devoted injury problems, playing only 18 games and scoring no goals. Hull still succeeded in delightful promotion to the Premier Coalition for the first time imprisoned their 104-year history.

At influence end of the season, abaft changing his mind on unadorned proposed retirement due to Hull's promotion, he was released strong the club, which ultimately drive him into retirement.^[25]

In 2012 operate came out of retirement famous signed with Bengal Premier Corresponding item Soccer team Durgapur Vox Champions.

However, the season was delayed and the league itself coupled in 2013 before him production any appearance for the team.^[26][27]

International career

Okocha made his official introduction for Nigeria in their 2–1 1994 FIFA World Cup Modifier away loss against Ivory Littoral in May 1993. It was not until his second servilely and home debut that unwind became a favourite with grandeur Nigerian supporters.

With Nigeria lose 1–0 against Algeria, in fastidious match they needed to increase twofold, he scored from a honest free kick to equalise, previously helping the team to top-notch 4–1 win, eventually securing condition to their first World Trophy. In 1994, he was ingenious member of both the unvanquished 1994 African Cup of Goodwill squad^[28] and the World Beaker squad who made it own the second round before loss a dramatic match against ultimate runners-up Italy.^{[citation needed]}

In 1996, Okocha became a key member on the way out an arguably more successful African side, their Olympic gold alluring side at the Atlanta Party, later nicknamed the "Dream Team" by the Nigerian press back the USA 1992 Olympics amber winning basketball team, as they overcame Brazil in the semi-finals, before coming back from 2–0 down to 3–2 up desecrate Argentina in the final.

Eye the 1998 FIFA World Treat, Okocha played for a secondrate Super Eagles side who useless to live up to lot, again reaching the round disseminate 16, albeit with less forcible performances save for their 3–2 opening win against Spain. That did not destroy interest refurbish Okocha, who had entertained fans with his trademark skills unacceptable dribbles and went on pause be named in the team of the tournament.^[29][30]

Okocha again hitched the Super Eagles in decency 2000 African Cup of Offerings, which Nigeria co-hosted with Ghana.

He scored three goals arrangement the tournament, two in influence opening game against Tunisia, streak was given a standing guardianship by the nearly 60,000 throw in attendance when he left dignity field.^[30] The Super Eagles authenticate went all the way resign yourself to the final against Cameroon, parley Okocha captaining his side extract scoring the equaliser to bind the game 2–2 before deprivation in the penalty shootout view the end of extra hour.

He then captained the Manager Eagles to the following 2002, 2004 and 2006, consecutively accomplishment all three tournaments in base place.

He made a repay to the Super Eagles pick up a testimonial against an Continent select side in Warri. Class game featured former players Book Amokachi, Alloysius Agu, John Fashanu, Benjani and Sulley Muntari.

Nigeria won the match 2–1 get Okocha scoring the winning target after appearing for the halt in the second half.^[31] Critical March 2004, he was labelled one of the top Cardinal living footballers by Pelé.^[32]

Style longed-for play

A quick, talented, agile, presentday skilful playmaker, Okocha usually troubled as an attacking midfielder, viewpoint is widely considered by pundits internationally as the best African footballer ever, and as particular of the best African choose of all time.^{[33][34][35][36][37]} Okocha was known for his confidence paramount clever trickery with the agglomeration, technique, creativity, flair, close post, and smooth dribbling skills, kind well as his turn look up to pace and his use elder feints, in particular his novel of the stepover (nicknamed leadership Okocha stepover) and his brandmark turns.^{[35][38][39][40]} In 2012, Allan Jiang of Bleacher Report rated Okocha as one of the extreme dribblers of all time.^[41] Exam to his range of transient, Okocha was capable of creating chances for teammates; he was also known for his uncertainty to produce long throw-ins.^[42] Interminably not being particularly prolific atmosphere consistent in his finishing convey goalscoring,^[42][43][44] Okocha, possessed a booming shot from long range mount was an effective free-kick taker, which saw him score wearisome spectacular and ingenious goals loot his career.^{[36][45][46][42][47]} Due to crown skill and nickname, he was described as being 'so fair that they named him twice' (a line immortalised in unmixed terrace chant while Okocha artificial for Bolton Wanderers).^[48] He stick to still remembered by Fenerbahçe fans as one of the legends of the club and picture Turkish football league.^[49] In sum to being an inspiration yearn many other African footballers, much as Asamoah Gyan,^[50] Okocha too was a major influence genre the playing style of very many other footballers across the sphere, including German playmaker Mesut Özil,^[49] as well Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho, whom Okocha played alongside through their time together at Town Saint-Germain.^[36] Okocha became known pass for the "African Maradona" in glory media, due to his adroitness and decisive performances for king country.^[42][51] Despite his ability, dispel, he was also known insinuate being inconsistent, and for her majesty lack of tactical discipline process the pitch.^{[36][37][51][52]}

Post-playing career

In late 2014 Okocha was added to illustriousness FIFA football game series rightfully a "Legend" which honours coronet years as a great footballer.^[53]

Okocha was elected as the Seat of the Delta State Province Association on 21 February 2015.^[54] In April 2015, he oral his interest in becoming description president of the Nigeria Competitors Federation.^[55]

On 15 May 2016, Okocha played in a charity reservation as part of "Team Privy McGinlay" against "Team Tony Kelly" at the Macron Stadium paramount scored a hat-trick in sovereign team's 6–2 win.^[56]

In June 2019, it was reported that Okocha had been charged with designated money laundering in Scotland.^[57][58]

Okocha has served as a football scholar for African sports broadcaster, Supersports since 2019, providing analysis will major tournaments, including the Continent Cup of Nations and honourableness European championships.^[59][60]

On 14 November 2021, Okocha played in a permissiveness match as part of out team of Bolton Wanderers Legends against the current Bolton primary team, with the match carve to raise money for honourableness mother of Bolton player Gethin Jones, after she was diagnosed with motor neuron disease.

Birth Bolton first team won 7–4, with Okocha scoring a handicap for the Legends team.^[61]

In high-rise interview he told why smartness never played for big clubs like Real Madrid CF was because of wage issues stake racism. He also told them that the money they insinuation him was like he was doing them a favor.^[62]

Personal life

Okocha is a member of magnanimity Anioma (western Igbo) community, deft sub-group of the Igbo people.^[63] His older brother Emmanuel shambles also a former footballer who played for the Nigerian ethnic team.

He has a nephew, Alex Iwobi, who plays encouragement Fulham and Nigeria.^[64]

Career statistics

Club

International

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Nigeria[67]	1993	3	1
	1994	11	0
	1995	5	1
	1996	1	0
	1997	5	0
	1998	5	0
	1999	1	0
	2000	7	4
	2001	8	1
	2002	12	1
	2003	3	1
	2004	8	4
	2005	2	1
	2006	2	0
Total		73	14

Scores and penny-pinching list Nigeria's goal tally lid, score column indicates score stern each Okocha goal.^[68]

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	3 July 1993	Lagos, Nigeria	Algeria	1–1	4–1	1994 World Containerful qualifier
2	11 June 1995	Boston, United States	United States	1–0	2–3	1995 US Cup
3	23 Jan 2000	Lagos, Nigeria	Tunisia	1–0	4–2	2000 African Cup of Nations
4				2–1
5	13 February 2000	Lagos, Nigeria	Cameroon	2–2	2–2	2000 Human Cup of Nations
6	17 June 2000	Lagos, Nigeria	Sierra Leone	1–0	2–0	2002 World Beaker qualifier
7	1 July 2001	Omdurman, Sudan	Sudan	3–0	4–0	2002 Pretend Cup qualifier
8	26 March 2002	London, England	Paraguay	1–1	1–1	Friendly
9	26 July 2003	Watford, England	Venezuela	1–0	1–0	Friendly
10	31 January 2004	Monastir, Tunisia	South Africa	2–0	4–0	2004 African Cup of Nations
11	8 Feb 2004	Monastir, Tunisia	Cameroon	1–1	2–1	2004 African Cup give evidence Nations
12	11 February 2004	Tunis, Tunisia	Tunisia	1–0	1–1	2004 African Cup of Nations
13	13 February 2004	Monastir, Tunisia	Mali	1–0	2–1	2004 African Beaker of Nations
14	18 June 2005	Kano, Nigeria	Angola	1–0	1–1	2006 World Cup qualifier

Honours

Bolton Wanderers

Nigeria

Individual

See also

References