Nigerian ex-international and former captain of the Super Eagles, Austin
Jay -Jay Okocha, who was born in 1973, is 44 today, August 14, 2017.
Here are Ten Things you didn’t know about him:
- He is widely regarded as the best Nigerian player of his generation and one of the greatest African players of all time
- He is a dual Nigerian-Turkish citizen, having acquired Turkish citizenship as “Muhammet Yavuz” while playing for Süper Lig team Fenerbahçe
- He was born in Enugu to parents who are originally from Delta State.
- Okocha joined Eintracht Frankfurt in December 1991
- In 1995, Okocha, Yeboah and Maurizio Gaudino were all involved in a feud with manager Jupp Heynckes, which led to their departure from Eintracht Frankfurt.
- In 1998, French side Paris Saint-Germain spent around £14 million to sign Okocha
- During his four-year stint with PSG, he played 84 matches and scored 12
goals. He has also served as a mentor, at the time, for young Brazilian
footballer Ronaldinho during his time in Paris - Okocha is happily married to Nkechi and they have two children Daniella and A-Jay.
- In March 2004, he was named one of the top 125 living footballers by Pelé.
- Okocha made his official debut for Nigeria in their 2–1 1994 FIFA World Cup Qualifier away loss against Ivory Coast in May 1993.
Happy birthday to the legendary footballer!