Football governing bodies FIFA and CAF, alongside English club Bolton Wanderers and German side Eintracht Frankfurt, have joined fans across the globe in celebrating Nigerian football icon Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha, who turned 52 on Thursday.
The tributes poured in on social media, with FIFA posting: “Jay-Jay Okocha: So good they named him twice.” CAF described him as “A walking legacy a name that echoes,” adding, “Celebrating the birthday of CAF Ambassador Jay-Jay Okocha! A true Nigerian legend.”
Bolton Wanderers, where Okocha is fondly remembered for his flair and leadership, wrote, “Happy birthday to Jay-Jay Okocha from everyone at Wanderers!” His former club in Germany, Eintracht Frankfurt, also penned warm wishes: “Happy Birthday, Legend! We warmly congratulate him and wish him all the best.”
Okocha’s international journey with the Super Eagles began in earnest in 1993, when he played a pivotal role in securing Nigeria’s first-ever FIFA World Cup qualification for USA ’94 after years of near misses.
He went on to help Nigeria lift the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia and represented the country at three consecutive World Cups, 1994, 1998, and 2002.
The midfield magician was also part of Nigeria’s U-23 “Dream Team” that struck gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, famously dazzling defenders with his unmatched skill.
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At club level, his career spanned stints with Frankfurt, Fenerbahçe, Paris Saint-Germain, Bolton Wanderers, and Hull City.
Okocha came close to continental individual glory several times, finishing runner-up for the 1998 African Footballer of the Year to Morocco’s Mustapha Hadji, and later losing out to Samuel Eto’o in both 2003 and 2004. In 2004, he captained Bolton to the League Cup final, where they narrowly lost 2-1 to Middlesbrough.