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Nigerian Attacking Midfielder, who was so good they named him twice "JAY JAY " and many regarded him as Legend but he couldn't win Caf African Football of the year Award.
Augustine Azuka "Jay-Jay" Muhammed Yavuz Okocha is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder, he was born in Enugu State. The name Jay-Jay was passed down from his elder brother James, who started playing football first, to his immediate elder brother, Emmanuel was also called Emma Jay-Jay, but the name stuck with Okocha instead. He began playing football on the streets, 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, 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".
In 1990, he went on holiday to West Germany, His friend "Binebi Numa" was playing in the Third Division for Borussia Neunkirchen, and one morning Okocha accompanied Numa to training, where he 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.
- In around 1996 - 1998, Okocha acquired Turkish citizenship and chose the name Muhammed Yavuz while playing for Fenerbahçe.
- In 1998, French side PSG spent around £14 million to sign Okocha, He has also served as a mentor, at the time, for young Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho during his time in Paris.
- In 2002, Okocha joined Bolton Wanderers from PSG. His debut season made him a favorite with the Bolton fans, with the team printing shirts with the inscription "Jay-Jay – so good they named him twice".
- In 2000, the African Cup of Nations. He scored two goals in the opening game against Tunisia and then given a standing ovation by the nearly 60,000 attendance when he left the field. Okocha played 73 matches and scored 14 goals for the National side.
In March 2004, he was named one of the top 125 living footballers by Pelé.
Augustine Azuka "Jay-Jay" Muhammed Yavuz Okocha is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder, he was born in Enugu State. The name Jay-Jay was passed down from his elder brother James, who started playing football first, to his immediate elder brother, Emmanuel was also called Emma Jay-Jay, but the name stuck with Okocha instead. He began playing football on the streets, 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, 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".
In 1990, he went on holiday to West Germany, His friend "Binebi Numa" was playing in the Third Division for Borussia Neunkirchen, and one morning Okocha accompanied Numa to training, where he 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.
- In around 1996 - 1998, Okocha acquired Turkish citizenship and chose the name Muhammed Yavuz while playing for Fenerbahçe.
- In 1998, French side PSG spent around £14 million to sign Okocha, He has also served as a mentor, at the time, for young Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho during his time in Paris.
- In 2002, Okocha joined Bolton Wanderers from PSG. His debut season made him a favorite with the Bolton fans, with the team printing shirts with the inscription "Jay-Jay – so good they named him twice".
- In 2000, the African Cup of Nations. He scored two goals in the opening game against Tunisia and then given a standing ovation by the nearly 60,000 attendance when he left the field. Okocha played 73 matches and scored 14 goals for the National side.
In March 2004, he was named one of the top 125 living footballers by Pelé.
