Lifebogger presents the Full Story of a Retired Football Legend and Midfield Magician who is best known by the Nickname; “Jay-Jay”.

Our version of Jay-Jay Okocha’s Childhood Story plus Untold Biography Facts brings you a full account of events from his childhood time to date.

The analysis of Jay Jay Okocha’s Bio involves his life story before fame, family life and many OFF and ON-Pitch little-known facts about him.

Yes, everyone once knew about his magical abilities in the midfield during his playing days. However, not many fans have read a detailed version of Jay-Jay Okocha’s Biography, which is quite interesting. Now, without further ado, let’s begin.

Jay-Jay Okocha Childhood Story – Early Life and Family Background:

For Biography starters, Augustine Azuka “Jay-Jay” Okocha was born on the 14th day of August 1973 in Enugu State, Nigeria. He was born to his parents, Mr and Mrs Azuka Okoch, who hailed from Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, Nigeria.

The name Jay-Jay was actually passed down from his elder brother James, who started playing football first.

His immediate elder brother, Emmanuel, was also called Emma Jay-jay, but the name stuck with Okocha instead. Below is a photo of James and Emma.

Jay-Jay Okocha began playing football on the streets just like many other football stars, usually with a makeshift ball.

In an interview with BBC Sport he said,

“As far as I can remember, we used to play with anything, with any round thing we could find, and whenever we managed to get hold of a ball, that was a bonus! I mean it was amazing!”

Jay-Jay Okocha Early Life in Football:

In 1990, Okocha joined Enugu Rangers. In his time at the club, he produced many spectacular displays.

Including one where he rounded off and scored a goal against experienced Nigerian goalkeeper William Okpara in a match against BCC Lions.

Below is him being congratulated by a Nigerian Government Sports official. 

In the same 1990, Okocha went on holiday to West Germany, the country that had just won the 1990 FIFA World Cup, so he could watch a German league football.

His friend Binebi Numa was playing in the Third Division for Borussia Neunkirchen. 

One faithful morning, Okocha accompanied Numa to training, where he was asked to join in. The Neunkirchen coach was impressed with Okocha’s skills and invited him back the next day before offering him a contract. 

A year later, he joined 1. FC Saarbrücken. He stayed there for two seasons before moving to Eintracht Frankfurt, where he destroyed Oliver Kahn (Details and video below). The rest, as they say, is now history. 

Jay-Jay Okocha and Nkechi Relationship Life:

Nkechi is married to Jay-Jay Okocha. Without a doubt, he got married to the lady of smashing beauty.

Their marriage took place in the year 1997, which was a time he was undergoing some great exploits at Fernabache.

Nkechi is way taller than her husband. This signifies that Love isn’t about height. The Ex-Super Eagles maestro has two kids – A-Jay and Daniella Okocha. Below is Okocha and his family.

Jay-Jay Okocha Untold Biography Facts – Frankfurt Memories:

Okocha joined Eintracht Frankfurt in December 1991, a club that won the 2021/2022 Europa League (with help from Filip Kostić and Jibril Sow, etc). While there, he linked up with many well-known players, including Ghanaian international striker Tony Yeboah and later Thomas Doll.

He continued to shine for the German side, one highlight being a goal he scored against Karlsruher SC, dribbling in the penalty box and slotting the ball past goalkeeper Oliver Kahn even going past some players twice.

According to the official Bundesliga YouTube page, he scored the best-ever goal in the history of the German Football League.

The legendary German goalkeeper still says that Okocha’s goal is the worst goal he’d ever conceded.

Jay-Jay Okocha Untold Biography Facts – Post-Retirement Life:

The Nigerian football legend once pulled a never seen before surprise at the Copa Coca-Cola Nigeria 2016 finals.

He disguised his appearance as a cleaner and trash collector as he went about his “normal” duty with no one knowing that the legend was present.

The young footballers and the crowd at the final, which was held at Onikan Stadium, Lagos, were shocked he was unmasked and his true identity revealed. Okocha unveiled himself as the match was about to kick off.

On 21 February 2015, Okocha was elected as the Chairman of the Delta State Football Association. 

In April 2015, Okocha expressed his interest in becoming the Nigeria Football Federation president; and he is vigorously pursuing it. He

Jay-Jay Okocha Biography Facts – A Mentor:

During his spell at PSG, Jay Jay Okocha was a mentor to the then-new recruit Ronaldinho [O yeah, you heard me!]. As you know, Ronaldinho went on to win the World Footballer of the year on numerous occasions.

Ronaldinho has never held back on his great admiration for his mentor– Jay-Jay Okocha, since their time together at PSG.

Ronaldinho once said he was amazed watching from the bench as Jay-Jay Okocha played and dazzled on the pitch.

So it’s no surprise when Ronaldinho was all smiling in a photo with Jay-Jay Okocha on his Instagram account as he captioned it,… “Só camisa 10 que sempre admirei. Jay-Jay Okocha e @pibevalderramap.”

This roughly translates to, “jersey number 10 I always admired. Jay-Jay Okocha and @pibevalderramap”. Below is a piece of photo evidence.

Jay-Jay Okocha Untold Biography Facts – The Bolton Story:

Okocha joined Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer after leaving PSG in the summer of 2002 after the FIFA World Cup. 

His debut season, despite being hampered by injuries, made him a favourite with the Bolton fans, with the team printing shirts with the inscription “Jay-Jay – so good they named him twice”.

This was voted Bolton’s best Premier League goal in a fan’s vote in 2008. The next season saw Okocha receive more responsibility as he was given the captain’s armband following Guðni Bergsson’s retirement.

As captain, he led Bolton to their first cup final in nine years where they finished runners-up in the 2004 Football League Cup to Middlesbrough FC.

In 2006, he was stripped of the captaincy – something he said he had seen coming, as there had been a change in attitude from some staff members.

This had probably been due to his proposed move to the Middle East, which had been growing in speculation. At the end of the season, he refused a one-year extension in order to move to Qatar.

Following Bolton’s relegation from the Premier League in 2012, Okocha stated that his time at the club was now rendered a waste of time because the club had not invested and improved on the foundations that were laid during his time there.

Jay-Jay Okocha Personality:

Starting off, Jay-Jay Okocha has the following attribute to his personality.

Strengths: Okocha is Creative, passionate,  warm-hearted, cheerful, humorous

Weaknesses: Stingy (not generous), Arrogant, self-centred, inflexible.

Leo likes: Being admired, bright colours, and fun with friends

Leo dislikes: Being ignored, facing difficult reality, not being treated like a king. In essence, Okocha is a natural-born leader who has worn the iconic number 10 shirt with a captaincy leadership role.

Jay-Jay Okocha Family Life:

First thing first, his older brother Emmanuel was also a former international for the Nigerian team. Okocha is also a member of the Anioma, a subgroup of the Igbo ethnic derivative. 

His nephew is an international footballer Alex Iwobi. Below is a photo of Jay-Jay Okocha and Alex Iwobi when he was still very young.

Jay-Jay Okocha Religion:

While he was at Fenerbahçe, Okocha became a Turkish citizen and was given the name Muhammet Yavuz.

This was interpreted by many to mean that he had converted to Islam. It was later revealed that he still remains a Christian.

The Unfair CAF:

Okocha never won the African Player of the Year award, becoming arguably the best player ever to win the award despite coming second twice in 1998.

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, he was listed in football legend Pelé‘s FIFA 100 (a list of the greatest 125 living players of all time). He is the only Nigerian on the list and one of 5 Africans.

And 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.

Jay-Jay Okocha Biography Facts – What he thinks about Messi and Ronaldo:

Jay Jay Okocha’s favourite footballer among the two living legends is Lionel Messi. He has said time and time again on how Messi is natural, and he is always bewildered by the Argentine’s skills on the field. “When Messi plays, you can tell that playing football is an inborn talent.”

However, Jay Jay’s all-time favourite player is Képler Laveran Lima Ferreira (Pepe) as he demonstrated great skill and discipline both in and out of the field.

Finally, it is pertinent to note this. Okocha is as important as the way Nigerians view Nwankwo Kanu, how Brazilians view Roberto Carlos, how Liberians view George Weah and, finally, the way English football fans view Andy Cole, Alan Shearer and Michael Owen.

Fact Check:

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