Such a great talent they named him twice. Jay Jay Okocha is regarded one of the best footballers to ever grace the sport from Africa.
The retired Nigerian is also one of the most consistent names on all-time greatest footballers from Africa lists.
His skill was so captivating that he often got applauded by opposing fans. Okocha always entertained the crowds by his magical moves and dribbles. He is well remembered for his thunderous shots and superb mix of skill and invention, the very aspects that gave opposing defenders nightmares.
The former Nigerian playmaker spent a major part of his career in Europe, plying his trade in clubs such as Fenerbahçe, Paris Saint-Germain, Bolton Wanderers and Hull City among others.
Okocha became a Nigerians’ fan favourite as early as his second cap for the West African country. His official debut for Nigeria came in a 2–1 1994 FIFA World Cup Qualifier away loss to Ivory Coast in May 1993. In his second cap, the talented midfielder scored from a direct free kick, his team having gone a goal down to Algeria in a match they vitally needed to win in order to salvage their World Cup qualification. The Super Eagles went on to win the match 4-1, eventually securing qualification to their first World Cup.
Although he never won the African Player of The Year award, Okocha is considered the best player never to win the coveted honour. He did however win the inaugural BBC African Footballer of the Year and the successive one, becoming the only player to retain the award and win it more than once.
In 2004, the Nigerian was recognized by world football legend Pele, who included him in his list of the greatest 125 living players of all time.
In 2007 he was voted number 12 on the greatest African footballers of the past 50 years list, on a poll conducted by CAF to coincide with their 50th anniversary.
Okocha racked up an impressive 73 appearances for the Super Eagles, spread out through 1993-2006.
