In a shocking turn of events, the internet has collectively remembered that Jay-Jay Okocha, the Nigerian football legend, has been born twice.
This revelation comes on the heels of the ex-Paris Saint-Germain and Bolton Wanderers midfielder’s birthday celebration, proving that time really is a flat circle, especially when you’re a sports icon with an unforgettable name.
As fans from all corners of the Twittersphere (now X) joined in the chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’, some wondered if Okocha might have a secret twin or if he simply possesses a time-travelling prowess that extends beyond his skills on the pitch.
Happy birthday to the legendary @IAmOkocha 🎂🥂🎂 pic.twitter.com/2FjGYOPdE2
— The NFF 🇳🇬 (@thenff) August 14, 2024
Okocha has this popular phrase that, “I am so good, they named me twice.”
Honours
Nigerian national team
- Olympic Gold medal: Atlanta 1996
Bolton Wanderers
- Football League Cup runner-up: 2003–04
Individual
- Goal of the Year (Germany): 1993
- FIFA World Cup All-Star Team (Reserve): 1998
- Premier League Player of the Month: November 2003
- Africa Cup of Nations Best Player: 2004
- Bolton Wanderers Player of the Year: 2004–05
- IFFHS All-time Africa Men’s Dream Team: 2021
CONVERSEER reports that Jay-Jay Okocha (born as Augustine Azuka Okocha) was born on 14th August 1973 (age 51 years) in Enugu, eastern Nigeria.
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He is an attacking midfielder who played for the Nigerian Super Eagles. He won 73 caps for the Nigeria national team between 1993 and 2006, scoring 14 goals, and was a member of three FIFA World Cup squads. He is regarded as one of the greatest football players from Africa.
He played across multiple leagues, starting his career at Enugu Rangers in the Nigerian Professional Football League before moving to Borussia Neunkirchen in the Oberliga Südwest, Germany’s third division, in July 1990. He would play in the Bundesliga, Süper Lig, Ligue 1, Premier League, EFL Championship, and Qatar Stars League before his retirement in 2008.
He played for Eintracht Frankfurt, Fenerbahçe, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Bolton Wanderers, and Hull City.
🇳🇬😍 Jay-Jay Okocha turns 51 today! 🎉
So good they named him twice… 🪄⚡️ pic.twitter.com/GTBzJUqpPF
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) August 14, 2024
Despite his achievements, Okocha never won the most coveted CAF African Player of the Year award, even with several nominations.
He is married to Nkechi Okocha, and has two children; Ajay Okocha, Daniella Okocha.
Updated Profile of Jay-Jay Okocha
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Augustine Azuka Okocha | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 14 August 1973 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Attacking midfielder | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Enugu Rangers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1990–1992 | Borussia Neunkirchen | 35 | (7) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1992–1996 | Eintracht Frankfurt | 90 | (18) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1996–1998 | Fenerbahçe | 62 | (30) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1998–2002 | Paris Saint-Germain | 84 | (12) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002–2006 | Bolton Wanderers | 124 | (14) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2007 | Qatar SC | 41 | (6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2008 | Hull City | 18 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | Durgapur Vox Champions | 0 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 454 | (89) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1993–2006 | Nigeria | 73 | (14) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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