Austin Azuka ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha is inarguably Nigeria’s most celebrated midfielder.
The Nigerian was a delight to watch on the pitch.
His remarkably precise and quick-witted skill on the ball dazzled both fans and non-football enthusiasts alike, with his signature smirk as he would trot across the field after a fulfilling goal.
Jay Jay is a right footed playmaker, yet he would score and dribble with his left foot every chance he got!
Some would even say Okocha helped bring entertainment to European football.
One player will probably never get over the blow to his pride Okocha inflicted in a Bundesliga fixture between Eintracht Frankfurt and Karlsruhe in 1993.
Okocha vs Khan
Oliver Khan was a magnificent goalkeeper in the German league.
Okocha came in as a second half substitute for Eintracht Frankfurt and provided an assist and scored a sensational goal against Khan, to help his side secure a 3-1 win.
Now here’s the interesting version of the story.
Okocha did not only score an impressive goal against Khan, the Nigerian wonder-playmaker dribbled the entire back-line of Karlsruhe, even going past some players twice, before slotting past Khan.
The goal was voted 1993 Goal of the Year by viewers of Sportschau, an ARD German TV sports programme.
23 years after the game, Khan still hadn’t got over Okocha’s legendary dribble, as the former Bayern Munich skipper paid tribute to Okocha on twitter in August 2016.
Featured image source: BuzzNigeria