Nigerian Footballers

Full Name: Augustine Azuka Okocha
Date of Birth: 14 August 1973.
Nationality: Nigeria and Turkey
Country of birth: Nigeria
Place of birth: Enugu
Position: Midfielder
Height: 175 cm
Weight: 70kg
Foot: Both
Player’s agent: Ohne Berater
Current club: Retired


HIS PROFILE
Austine Azuka Okocha was born on 14th August 1973 in the Eastern part of Nigeria, Enugu precisely to Mr. & Mrs. Okocha who hail from Ogwashi-Uku area in Delta State Nigeria. 5ft 8inches tall, Jay – Jay Okocha is a name to be recond with in the history of football as long as football is concerned. He is a guru in the attacking mid-field position.

CAREER
Like every other football star, this talented professional Nigerian born footballer started playing football on the street. He used to play with anything round he could find and an opportunity of finding a ball was a plus.He started his profession with the Enugu Rangers in 1990, where he was discovered.

He made his official debut for Nigeria in the 1994 Fifa World Cup qualifier, where the team lost 2-1 to Ivory Coast in May 1993. He was opportuned to travel to Germany where he was fortunately handed a deal with the German third division side, Borussia Neunkirchen. Still loyal to the National team, Okocha was named Nigeria’s National team captain in 2002.

His first tournament as captain came that summer, but his team finish third that summer. Again he led the team to the African cup of nation in 2004 in Tunishia with some breathtaking display and scoring four goals including a notable free kick against Cameroon and the 1000th goal in Nations cup history against South Africa.

CLUB SIDES
1990-1992, he played for Borussia which was his official first international experience.
1992-1996, he played for Eintracht Frankfurt.
1996-1998, he played for Ferierbalice where he through his terrific display of talent became the most expensive African footballer and a Turkish Citizen.
1998-2002, he was with Paris Saint Germain
2002-2006, he played for Bolton wonderer where he was nick name “twice”. He was voted Bolton’s best premier league goal scorer. In 2004 he became Bolton’s team captain, leading them to their first cup final where they finished runners up.
2006-2007 – Qatar Sc
2007-2008 – He was with Hull City but was not able to contribute greatly to the teams promotion due to injury & fitness problems. He played 18 games and scored no goals.
In 2008, he made a decision to sit back and watch the game being played. He retired. But now he still hunger to play again. He is currently waiting for a deal with the Indian brand football club “Durgapur”

OTHER VENTURES
Being a star with a very attractive marketing appearance, Okocha has done commercials for products like Pepsi, Samsung, V.Mboil, B-29 watch detergent, Holandia milk amongst many others.
He has a brand of table water (Jay Jay water) introduced during the late 1990’s.
He wons a bar in Victoria Island, Lagos Nigeria by name Club 10, his Jersey number.
He released a DVD in 2004 titled super skills with Jay Jay, where he taught difficult tricks to children.

MARITAL LIFE
Okocha, a former captain of the Nigerian National team and Bolton wonderer has been happily married to Nkechi Okocha for over ten years now and blessed with two children, Daniella and A-Jay.

HIS HONOURS INCLUDE
BBC African footballer of the year – 2004 & 2005
Bolton wonderer footballer of the year – 2005
Nigerian footballer of the year – 1995, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005.
2004 – African nation’s cup player of the tournament and joint golden boot winner.