Football governing bodies – FIFA and CAF, as well as Bolton Wanderers and Eintracht Frankfurt, have sent birthday wishes to former Nigerian international Austin Okocha, who turned 52 yesterday.
They took to their X handles to convey their best wishes to the Super Eagles legend.
According to FIFA: “Jay-Jay Okocha: So good they named him twice.”
CAF wrote: “A walking legacy. A name that echoes. Celebrating the birthday of CAF Ambassador Jay-Jay Okocha! A true Nigerian legend.” Bolton Wanderers stated: “Happy birthday to Jay-Jay Okocha from everyone at Wanderers!” Frankfurt added: “Happy Birthday, Legend! Jay-Jay Okocha celebrates his 52nd birthday today. We warmly congratulate him and wish him all the best!”
In 1993, Okocha helped the Super Eagles qualify for the 1994 FIFA World Cup after numerous failed attempts.
The following year, he was part of the Super Eagles side that won the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia and also featured at the World Cup that same year. In addition to the 1994 World Cup, he participated in the tournaments in France 1998 and Korea/Japan 2002. Okocha played a crucial role as Nigeria’s U-23 Eagles, dubbed the ‘Dream Team,’ won gold in the football event at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
At club level, Okocha signed for Frankfurt, Fenerbahçe, Paris Saint-Germain, Bolton, and Hull City. He finished second in the 1998 Africa Player of the Year award, losing to Moroccan legend Mustapha Hadji. He was also nominated for the Africa Player of the Year in both 2003 and 2004 but lost out to Samuel Eto’o on both occasions. In 2004, he captained Bolton to the final of the League Cup, where they lost 2-1 to Middlesbrough.
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