Nigerian Legend Okocha Recognised in Turkey Before Europa League Clash Between Two Former Sides

Nigerian Legend Okocha Recognised in Turkey Before Europa League Clash Between Two Former Sides

Babajide Orevba
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:53 PM
  • Jay Jay Okocha has been hosted to a lavish dinner in Turkey just before the Europa League flash between Fenerbahce and Frankfurt
  • The former Nigerian international played for both clubs in the 90s during the time he was at the peak of his remarkable career
  • The occasion was specially organised in recognition of Okocha’s contribution to the history of both football clubs

Ex-Super Eagles captain Jay Jay Okocha has received huge recognition in Turkey hours before his former side Fenerbahce and Frankfurt clash in the Europa League.

The former midfield maestro has been duly recognised in Turkey ahead of the game which is billed to hold at the Ulker Stadyumu Fenerbahce Sukru Saracoglu Spor Kompleksi.

Aspor are reporting via Soccernet that President Ali Koc of Fernabahce hosted the 48-year-old and a number of Frankfurt executives to a dinner on Wednesday night.

Jay Jay Okocha
Jay Jay Okocha recognised by former clubs Fernerbahce and Frankfurt. Photo: Stephan/ullstein bild
Source: Getty Images

It was gathered that the occasion was done in recognition of Okocha’s contribution to the history of both clubs.

Okocha played for Dutch club Frankfurt between 1992 and 1996 where he scored 18 league goals in 90 appearances.

He moved to Turkish outfit Fenerbahce later in 1996 where he played 62 league matches and scored 30 goals before he departed in 1998.

At the end of the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, Okocha moved to Paris St-Germain for a then-African club transfer record.

In Thursday’s Europa League clash, hosts Fenerbahce are already knocked out of the competition while Frankfurt will top Group D with a win.

Okocha names one club he joined without doing proper research

Meanwhile, former Super Eagles captain Austin Jay Jay Okocha has lamented that he did not do proper research before joining English Premier League club Bolton Wanderers.

Having played at French club Paris Saint-Germain between 1998 and 2002, Okocha left Paris so join Bolton Wanderers who were playing in the Premier League at that time.

Okocha scored 14 goals for the English club in 124 appearances between 2002 and 2006 before leaving to join Qatari side Qatar SC.

Okocha told Ally McCoist and Gabriel Agbonlahor on their Talksport breakfast show that he found life very difficult to cope with under manager, Sam Allardyce when he first join Bolton.

Ex-England striker says Okocha is a true legend

Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that a former England international Gabriel Agbonlahor has showered encomiums on ex-Super Eagles midfield maestro Jay Jay Okocha, describing him as a legend.

Okocha remains one of the most skillful players to ever grace the game and his exploits have earned praises from a fellow former footballer.

The ex-Aston Villa star has applauded the former Bolton Wanderers sensation who got famous for his dribbling, step-overs and nutmeg skills during his active days.

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Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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