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Austin Jay Jay Okocha is undoubtedly one of the finest footballers of his generation, and above all, one of the best dribblers of all time.

Born Augustine Azuka Okocha on August 14, 1973 in Enugu, Nigeria, ‘Jay Jay’, as he is affectionately called, started like any ambitious young African footballer by playing on the streets of Enugu before joining a local club, Rangers in the late 80s.

In 1990, he realised his breakthrough to Europe by joining a German lower division outfit, Borussia Neunkirchen in Saarland, the smallest of the 16 German states in terms of population and size.

After three years with the Neunkirchen-based team where he played a total of 35 matches and scored seven goals, Okocha was snapped up by Bundesliga giants, Eintracht Frankfurt. At Frankfurt, he carved a niche for himself as one of the exciting players in the Bundesliga at a time when African players were rare in the German top-flight liga.
A goal he scored against Karlsruhe in his first season was rated as Best Goal of the 1993 season and one of the most memorable in the history of Bundesliga. Okocha dribbled the entire defence of Karlsruhe, even dribbled some players twice before firing past goalkeeper, Olver Khan.

Five months to his 20th birthday, he made his Super Eagles’ debut on April 24, 1993, during an African Cup of Nations’ qualifier against Sudan in Lagos, which the Eagles won 4–0 with Emmanuel Amuneke netting a brace.

He went on to make his debut at the continent’s biggest football event, the African Cup of Nations a year later in Tunisia, and was pivotal to the Super Eagles’ lifting the title, the second in Nigerian football history.

In June, the same year, Okocha was a member of the historic squad that qualified Nigeria for their first-ever World Cup at USA ’94, where his skills and antics did not leave much doubts in the minds of many of him becoming a genius.

After three years in Germany, he moved to Turkish giants, Fenerbahce, where he experienced one of the best spells of his European career. Known for not being a regular face on the scorecards, Okocha raked in an impressive 30 goals in 63 outings for the Istanbul-based club, where he had a first taste of the UEFA Champions League.

Later in the summer, he was part of another historic feat as Nigeria won gold at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games with famous victories over Brazil and Argentina on the road to the ultimate medal. It was the first time an African side had won gold in football at the Olympics, after Ghana had won the continent’s first medal (bronze) in Barcelona four years earlier.

Spotting a ginger-dyed hair, Jay Jay made his second appearance at the mundial at France in 1998 and was for the second time named in the FIFA All Star Team despite an early bow. After the World Cup, he sealed a lucrative £10million move to French Ligue 1 side, Paris St. Germain, making him one of the most expensive African players at the time.
Later in the year, he came close to winning the coveted CAF Best Footballer of the year, but lost out to Moroccan Mustapha Hadji.

In 2000, Okocha came close to winning his second major silverware with the Super Eagles, but they lost out 3–4 on penalties to the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon at home during the Nations Cup co-hosted by Ghana and Nigeria.

Two years later, he joined English Premiership side Bolton, and managed to help them avoid relegation in his first season. At Bolton, he was the toast of the fans as his deft touches and dribbling antics won their hearts on most occasions.

During his four years at the Reebok Park, he featured 124 times, the last quarter of which he was the captain before being released after the 2006 season.

On three occasions, Okocha was a bronze medal winner at the Africa Cup of Nations in Mali (2002), Tunisia (2004) and Egypt (2006). In 2004 in Tunisia, incidentally the same country he made his Nations Cup debut, he scoring the 1000th goal in the history of the tournament during a 4–0 win over South Africa in the group stage.

After the 2006 Nations Cup in Egypt, he moved to Qatar, where he joined Qatar Sports Club, but his tenure was marred by inconsistency, which resulted in his side placing below the top five in the 10-club league.

Okocha signed for English Championship (division one) side, Hull City, on September 2007 and aided them to qualify for the Premiership.
Earlier, he said he would retire at the end of the 2007-08 season, and truly lived up to his words by insisting he won’t play for Hull City in the Premiership though Manager, Phil Brown, tried to persuade him to rescind his decision to hang his boots after more than 17 years in active football.
For many Nigerians, Okocha stands tall among his generation. This was evident that at a time when most of them had retired, he was still active.

The legendary Pele, Edson Arantes de Nascimento, named Okocha in his list of 125 greatest living footballers as part of activities to mark the centenary celebrations of FIFA in 2004.
Twice, he was voted the BBC African Footballer of the Year in 2003 and 2004.
He is married to Nkechi, and has two children, Daniella and AJ.

You had an illustrious career. Can you briefly tell us how it all started?
It started way back in Nigeria in the late 1980s when during an Inter-Schools tournament, my coach told me I had the potential to play to the highest level. He realised that I was endowed with the talent and reposed in me the confidence. After, I remained focused in pursuit of fulfilling that dream.

What actually did your coach tell you?
He said if I keep working hard and believing in myself, I would go far. I took those words seriously since I did not want to let him down. Since then, football has been my passion. I eat, sleep and drink football.

From school days to a professional, how did it all happened?
It happened quicker than I thought. From secondary school, I signed for Rangers where I played for just three months before travelling to Germany to join Borussia Neunkirchen. Basically, that was how my career began.

What was the turning point?
When I joined Eintracht Frankfurt in 1992, I was drafted into the reserve team since I was just 18 years. The plan was to play for at least a year to mature for the first team. One day, most first team players were out injured and the manager brought me into the team for a friendly game. I played very well and stayed on with the first team and that marked the turning point.

From where comes ‘Jay Jay’ in your name?
My senior brother, James, also a footballer, is the real Jay Jay. He was known as Jay Jay during his playing days. Then my immediate brother, Emmanuel, also a footballer, who was known as ‘Emma Jay Jay’ meaning Jay Jay’s brother. Therefore, when I started playing, I was tagged ‘Austin Jay Jay,’ and being the best, I seized the name ‘Jay Jay.’

What was the biggest challenge of your career?
My biggest challenge was to be recognised globally even after I hang my boots. It was a very big challenge, but I remained disciplined and stayed at the top of my game.

What were the major achievement of your career?
The joy I gave so many people anytime I played. For a continent like ours (Africa), where people are engulfed in economic hardships; to bring joy to these people through football is a big thing for me. The kind of reception I’m accorded any time I travel, even to most remote areas, makes me feel proud.

Any regrets"
On the field of play, I have no regrets. But I would have loved to achieve some goals including the CAF Best Footballer of the Year award. This makes me realise that in life, things will not go your way all the time. You just have to be positive and accept what comes your way.

Do you recall any player who gave you some torrid moments?
Honestly, no, because I never focused on my opponents. I was always confident but for a bad day, no one could stop me. My belief was that I was so talented, that I only knew what to do with the ball anytime I was in possession. And this made me sometimes arrogant on the field.

What remains the memorable day in your life?
It was the qualification to the World Cup in 1994, which was the first time Nigeria qualified to participate in the mundial. I felt special to be part of that historic feat. Also, winning gold at the Olympics (Atlanta 1996) is also another day I cherish so much.

During the final game of the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations co-hosted by Ghana and Nigeria, what prompted that gesture after scoring that spectacular goal from a free-kick against Cameroon?
In football, such gestures are emotional. Sometimes you don’t even know what you are doing. But in that game, I meant the trophy was going anywhere except Nigeria. Unfortunately, it turned the opposite as we lost on 5-–4 on penalties.

Has there been any major development in the standard of the game compared to your early days?
Modern game is quicker. FIFA have introduced so many changes such as back pass rule among others, which has made the game quicker and exciting.

Which player inspired you most?
As a young footballer then, we were not privy to the modern facilities of today. Our idol was Pele, because we heard his name all the time and we all tried to emulate him. I also drew some inspiration from African stars such as Abedi Pele, Anthony Yeboah, Stephen Keshi and George Oppong Weah, who I had the opportunity to play alongside.

Your idol, the legendary Pele named you in the list of 125 greatest living footballers during the FIFA Centenary celebrations in 2004. How did you feel?
I was overwhelmed and felt proud to be recognised by no mean person than the legendary Pele. Even with that, I am very grateful to God for all he has done for me.

How did you prepare yourself mentally ahead of a game?
I couldn’t stop thinking whenever there was a game. I tried to lift my self up and even go to the extent of imagining how the game will go. Sometimes I had sleepless nights while I devise strategies for my opponents. Often, I think of how to dribble my markers instead of the tactics. In addition to that, my greatest motivation was anytime the national anthem of Nigeria was being played.

Africa will host the World Cup for the first time in 2010. What’s your perception?
As an African, I feel that we are hosts of the 2010 World Cup. This is a big opportunity for the whole world to see the real Africa and know more about us including our culture.

What in your opinion has resulted in the under performance of the Super Eagles at major championship in recent times?
Our problem has been inadequate planning. We believe we have the talents and can perform at any time, but football is no logic. We can only go far by planning ahead always. It is also important we give people with enough knowledge about the game free hand to control it rather than politicians.

At what point did you decide to call it quit?
I had always said I won’t play forever, that the day I can’t play among the best, I will quit. This is just the time even though most people think I can go on. My goal was to quit on a high note than continue and flourish in disgrace.

Can you tell us briefly about your family
I have been married for 10 years with two kids. Usually I don’t want to talk about that because it makes me feel old (Laughs). My daughter, Daniella, is nine years old and my son, AJ, is six. Often, I am enthused because I married at the right time. My wife, Nkechi, has been an influential figure in my life and I will always remain grateful to her.

Who are your closest pals?
I don’t have too many friends because I’m a family man. My friends are my kids. I still have some friends but we’re scattered all over the world, yet I keep in touch with some.

Your favourite dish?
Beans and plantain.

How do you feel to be honoured by your state of origin, Delta State?
I feel over demanded despite arguments in certain quarters disputing my origin from Delta State. It is great source of pleasure to know that the people recognise me as such, and I feel honoured to come back home and share this moment with them. I cannot find an appropriate word to express my appreciation to the Delta State Governor (Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan) for this great honour.

As an Ambassador of Peace, how do you hope to use football to impact positively on Delta State, which is plagued by little crisis?
My belief has been that whichever means you can reach the people, you just do it to your very best. Football has given me an opportunity to be an ambassador and I have realised that I was not playing for myself, but for millions of people back home. The authorities should put their heads together to resolve these problems, and that can be realised if we understanding ourselves. Now that I’m retired, I will use my time to preach peace to the people.

Final words
I am very grateful to all and can only say, you are the reason behind my success and I would forever remain grateful.