Augustine Azuka “Jay-Jay” Okocha’s former boss Sam Allardyce has revealed how the Nigerian and football legend became a ‘talented world class footballer’.

The winner of the first BBC African player of the year award is generally regarded by many as one of the most skillful, talented of his generation and one of his former coaches has revealed how his confidence, technique, creativity, and dribbling skills came about.

Jay Jay Okocha started his career in Nigeria at Enugu Rangers before joining a German third division club Borussia Neunkirchen, then Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga where he starred under the tutelage of Jupp Heynckes.

In total, he spent six of his early footballing years in Germany and Sam Allardyce said that was an integral part of his illustrious career.

“As you all know, I had a player named Jay Jay Okocha who left home, Africa, at the age of 14,” said Allardyce at Sky Sports debate show on Wednesday while talking about Jadon Sancho’s move from Manchester City to Borussia Dortmund.

“Okocha said that was the making of his career because of what the German system taught him, he learnt the language and become very disciplined world class talented footballer who moved on to do things not only for his country but in all leagues he played in.”

The 1994 African Cup of Nations winner went on to play for Fenerbahçe, Paris Saint-Germain, Bolton Wanderers, Qatar SC and Hull City before calling it quit at the age 34 due to injury.

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