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By: Abiodun Adewale.
Former Super Eagles captain, Austin Okocha, was celebrated widely on Monday by his former clubs, the Nigeria Football Federation as well as world governing body FIFA as he clocked 50, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Born on August 14, 1973 in Enugu, Okocha made his name playing for Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations, the Olympics and the World Cup, before retiring from international football in 2006. After playing for Enugu Rangers in Nigeria, he also featured for seven clubs in Europe and Asia.
Okocha had 73 caps for Nigeria, with the NFF giving him a shoutout on his golden jubilee.
“Happy birthday to former Super Eagles midfielder and captain Augustine ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha, who turns 50 today (Monday). Hearty cheers Jay-Jay. So good, they named you twice,” the NFF message read.
Nigeria and Okocha might not have won the World Cup but the world’s football governing body, FIFA, also recognised his exceptional talent.
FIFA wrote, “One of football’s greatest magicians. So good they named him twice, happy 50th birthday Jay-Jay Okocha!”
Seven-time NPFL champions, Enugu Rangers, also led the glowing tributes by Okocha’s former clubs.
“Happy birthday to Rangers legend, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha. In 1990, he 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 Willy Okpara in a match against BCC Lions. From all of us at Rangers International FC, Enugu, we wish you the best now and always.”
German club, Frankfurt, also shared a video of a similar goal he scored against Oliver Khan while Okocha also ran a commentary on the video himself just as Bolton Wanderers also posted a video of a spectacular free-kick he scored for them in the Premier League on his birthday in 2004.
“Happy birthday to the magician, Jay-Jay Okocha,” French giants, PSG also wrote.
On Sunday, Okocha also gathered former Nigerian teammates and African legends, including Tijani Babangida, Joseph Yobo, Mutiu Adepoju, Emmanuel Adebayor and others at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos to play a novelty game.
In 454 appearances, Okocha scored 89 goals for all the seven clubs he played for. He also scored 14 times for Nigeria in 73 appearances.