Former Bolton Wanderers supremo Jay-Jay Okocha was born on this day back in 1973.
The former Nigerian international is one of the most skilful players to have ever graced the Premiership, playing for Bolton Wanderers for four years between 2002 and 2006. Known best for his trademark stepovers and being lethal from set pieces, the talented Nigerian was part of the golden generation of the late 90’s and early 2000’s
Okocha started his playing career in Germany, playing for Third Division side Borussia Neunkirchen for a year before moving up to the second tier of German football to sign for FC Saarbrucken.
Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt were quick to see the Nigerian’s potential and signed him in December 1991 after he had only been at Saarbrucken for a few months. It was at Frankfurt where he started to gain international recognition. One particular goal stands out from the rest in a game against Karlsruher, where Okocha takes the ball past several defenders and slotting the ball past future German international keeper Oliver Kahn. In the build-up to the goal, some of the defenders who Okocha passed on his way to goal came racing back to tackle him and again he beat them with unerring ease.
Whilst at Frankfurt, Okocha won his first cap for Nigeria and helped the Super Eagles to win the 1994 African Cup of Nations and also the Nigerian squad that made their World Cup debut in the same year.
Okocha left Frankfurt for Turkish club Fenerbahce in the summer of 1996 and was an instant hit with the fans. He scored 30 goals over the course of his two season at the club in 62 appearances. Okocha was part of the golden generation of Nigerian players who won the 1996 Olympic Gold medal in Atlanta. He played alongside Daniel Amokachi, Sunday Oliseh, Taribo West and Nwankwo Kanu who all forged successful careers in Europe over the course of their career.
After two years in Istanbul, a big-money bid was made for Okocha’s services by Paris Saint Germain and he joined the French side for £14 million. This made him the most expensive African player at the time.
Bolton Wanderers came in for Okocha after the 2002 World Cup and his signature was a real coup for the Lancashire club. He signed on a free transfer and made an immediate impact at the Reebok Stadium, helping to keep Wanderers in the top flight. He then became club captain in his second season but had this role taken from him three years later before moving out to the Far East to play for Qatar SC.
Hull City was to be the final stopping point of Jay-Jay Okocha’s career and in his only season at the club, Hull won promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their 104 year history. The City fans were not treated to seeing much of the Nigerian as he was injured for much of the campaign, but he did feature in 18 matches for The Tigers.
Although Okocha didn’t play for any of the bigger names in world football, he is still revered by many as one of the most skillful players of his generation. Watching back on videos such as the one below from YouTube, it is hard to disagree with those who admired him most. Happy birthday, Jay-Jay!
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