What becomes of Jay-Jay Okocha, the Nigerian magician?

African football fans will not soon forget his name. His swaying dribbles, his quickdraw, his inventiveness and his classy gestures have long delighted supporters. Jay-Jay Okocha will have marked a whole generation of footballers during his professional career as rich as it was eventful. The former Nigeria international was the magician par excellence, able to let his imagination run wild on the pitch. Retired for a few years, the former star of PSG is today a seasoned entrepreneur but has never strayed from his first passion: the round ball.

« The only number 10 that I have always admired », these words of Ronaldinho towards his former teammate prove if need be of the caliber of the ex-Nigerian international Augustine Azuka Okocha of his real name.

From the beginnings in Germany to the conquest of the Parc des Princes …

The native of Enugu in Turkey made his first ranges at VfB Borussia Neunkirchen, a resident club of the German 3rd division, before quickly catching the eye of the elite clubs. Very quickly, Eintracht Frankfurt appeared and the Nigerian discovered the Bundesliga in 1991. His performances on the lawns were not long in making people talk and he quickly became a beloved player.

However, it is really his transfer to PSG that serves as a springboard in his career. Jay-Jay discovered the Parc des Princes in 1998 and was a hit with a brilliant neck, it didn’t take long for him to find a place of choice among Ile-de-France residents. His famous strikes, his ability to eliminate opponents and his dribbling which only he has the secret make him an idol in France. In 2002, he closed the very successful PSG page with whom he was vice-champion of France before leaving his number 10 to Ronaldinho. The rest is history.

Freelancing followed everywhere (Bolton, Qatar, Hull City) without more success.

In the national team, he was one of the spearheads of the golden generation of the Super Eagles with Nwankwo Kanu, Taribo West or even Oliseh. Olympic champion in 1996, he won the CAN in 1994. In all, he took part in four editions of the continental tournament and two rounds of the world.

After hanging up his boots, Okocha entered the business world. The former playmaker is now a seasoned entrepreneur at the head of several companies in his country. Unlike many footballers who have not been able to manage their huge football income, the 1994 African champion is an exception. He has lent his image to several brands including Xiaomi, Bajaj Auto (automobile company) or even BetKing which continue to remunerate him free of charge.

According to some sources, his fortune is even estimated at 15 million dollars. What makes him one of the most fortunate former footballers in Africa. The former player leads a comfortable life away from prying eyes. The former number 10 is also doing a lot in the humanitarian sector with a structure that aims to raise awareness in the fields of education, health among others.

In addition, the former Parisian 10 has found himself in two legal disputes in recent years without this could tarnish his image even less his flourishing business. In short, a particularly successful retraining where many of its peers have failed.

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