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Did You Know that Augustine Jay Jay Okocha has a Turkish Citizenship?

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Augustine Azuka “Jay-Jay” Okocha born 14 August 1973 is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. Though Okocha is from Anioma, a subgroup of Igbo ethnic derivative, he also has Turkish citizenship as Muhammet Yavuz which he acquired while playing for Fenerbahçe.


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The Interesting Jay-Jay Story

Augustine Azuka “Jay-Jay” Okocha was born in Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria. His parents lived in Iwo Local Government, Osun State, Nigeria. The nickname Jay-Jay was passed down from his elder brother James, who started playing football first. His immediate elder brother, Emmanuel was also called Emma Jay-jay, but the name stuck with Augustine instead. He began playing football on the streets just like many other football stars, usually with a makeshift ball.

In an interview with BBC Sport he said,

“As far as I can remember, we used to play with anything, with any round thing we could find, and whenever we managed to get hold of a ball, that was a bonus! I mean it was amazing!”

Augustine ‘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 William Okpara in a match against BCC Lions. Later that year, he went on holiday to West Germany, the country that had just won the 1990 FIFA World Cup, so he could watch German league football. His friend Binebi Numa was playing in the Third Division for Borussia Neunkirchen, and one-morning Okocha accompanied Numa to training, where he asked to join in. The Neunkirchen coach was impressed with Okocha’s skills and invited him back the next day before offering him a contract. A year later, he joined 1. FC Saarbrücken, but stayed only a few months with the 2. Bundesliga side before a move to the 1. Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt.


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Other interesting facts about Jay-Jay Okocha

Source:

wikipedia

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