Football governing bodies FIFA and CAF, Bolton Wanderers and Eintracht Frankfurt have sent birthday wishes to Super Eagles legend Austin Okocha who clocked 52 year today (Thursday).
They all took to their X handles to send their wishes to Okocha.
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! .”
On their part, Frankfurt said:”Happy Birthday, Legend!”
“Jay-Jay Okocha celebrates his 52nd birthday today. We warmly congratulate him and wish him all the best !”
Also Read: I Acted Like A Senior Brother To Ronaldinho At PSG –Okocha
In 1993 Okocha helped the Super Eagles qualify for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the team’s after so many failed attempts.
The following year, Okocha was part of the Super Eagles side that won the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia and also featured at the World Cup in the same year.
Aside the 1994 World Cup, he was a member of the sides that featured at France 1998 and Korea/Japan 2002.
Okocha played an important role as Nigeria’s U-23 Eagles dubbed ‘Dream Team’ won gold in the football event of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
At club level, Okocha signed for Frankfurt, Fenerbahce, Paris Saint-Germain, Bolton and Hull City.
He finished second in the 1998 Africa Player of the Year award, losing to Morocco legend Mustapha Hadji.
He was also in the running for the Africa Player of the Year in 2003 and 2003 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.
By James Agberebi
