The Duke!🇳🇬

There’s a reason why Okocha is the MOST POPULAR sports person to ever come out of Nigeria even though he retired almost 20 years ago and even though he never played for the biggest clubs in Europe. There’s a reason why fans of EVERY club he played for in Europe love and adore him till this very day. There’s a reason why when FIFA are inviting football legends for an event he’s the only Nigerian that gets the privilege of being in the mix (until Mikel Obi joined that exclusive list in recent years). There’s a reason why when you are abroad in some of the most unpopular destinations, the locals who know you are Nigerian will bring up a conversation and the one name that pops up is Jay Jay Okocha (until maybe Burna Boy in recent years). There’s a reason he was given Turkish citizenship despite spending ONLY TWO years in the country. There’s a reason why football legends around the world including Arsenal’s Ian Wright especially doesn’t stop talking about what a special talent Okocha was. There’s a reason why 20 years since he retired from the Super Eagles, every young midfielder is still compared to him and most people believe a replacement has still not been found for Austin Okocha till today. He may not have won much in Europe but he was a special and magical - a pure joy to watch play and entertain. ONE OF ONE - they don’t make them like Jay Jay anymore.