“So Good They Named Him Twice”: FIFA Pays Tribute to Jay Jay Okocha on His 52nd Birthday
- Super Eagles legend Austin Jay Jay Okocha clocked the age of 52 years on August 14
- The 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner is regarded as one of the best midfielders on the continent
- The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has congratulated the legend on the special occasion
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) have paid tribute to Super Eagles legend Austin Jay Jay Okocha as he turned 52 years old on August 14.
The midfield maestro excelled in the senior national team, winning the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and a gold medal at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games.
The Rangers International legend exhibited a high level of artistry in the country's football national teams, which spanned nearly two decades from the late 80s to 2008 when he officially retired.
Source: Getty Images
He played for multiple clubs across top European clubs, including those in Germany, Turkey, France, England and had a short stint in the Middle East.
FIFA pays tribute to Okocha
The world governing body, FIFA, on their official X shared a post to celebrate the Bolton Wanderers legend on his birthday.
FIFA said the Atlanta 1996 Olympic gold medallist is a fantastic player which resulted in naming him twice.
"Jay-Jay Okocha: So good they named him twice 🇳🇬."
@AJSilverCFC replied:
"He taught Messi how to dribble you know. Only Nigerians will disrespect him."
@nigs_FCB said:
"The best talent Nigeria football ever produced, maybe Kanu also but he's definitely the best.
"Football nowadays doesn't produce such ball dribblers any more. He dribbles with so much ease and finesse."
@256Lad added:
"The greatest most skillful midfielder ever. He just lacked a Brazilian passport to get his credit."
@JamesPrinceMor1 wrote:
"The only man that understand what football is all about he always laugh even when u are winning his team he understands football is made for funs not for fight as we see in the life of other players. the king of all dribblers the only man football obey his commandment smile 💝💯."
Source: Getty Images
Okocha's statistics for Nigeria
Super Eagles legend Austin Jay Jay Okocha participated in three World Cups (1994, 1998 and 2002).
According to Transfermarkt, Okocha played in five Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments, winning one, finishing as runner-up in 2000, and securing bronze medals in 2002, 2004, and 2006.
Despite his modest achievement on the African soil, Okocha failed to win the Africa Player of the Year, instead was compensated by winning the BBC Africa Player of the Year twice, per World Net.
The 52-year-old won the heart of football fans with his top performance with Bolton Wanderers in the English Premier League.
Jay Jay Okocha names his five-a-side
Legit.ng earlier reported that former Super Eagles captain Austin Jay Jay Okocha has shared the pitch with some of the biggest names in African football, from the Nigeria U17 to the senior level.
Okocha ignored his former teammates, including the former CAF Player of the Year Victor Osimhen and reigning CAF POTY Ademola Lookman.
Source: Legit.ng
