Nigeria Players Abroad
“I couldn’t get near him” – Danny Murphy reminisces on Jay-Jay Okocha
By Monsurah Olatunji
Former Liverpool midfielder, Danny Murphy recently reminisced about Nigerian football legend Augustine “Jay Jay” Okocha.
Speaking with TalkSport on the Shortlist, Murphy recalled the former Bolton Wanderers attacking midfielder as the most ‘streets won’t forget’ type of player.
He went on to revealed two top moments of skill from Okocha, who joined Bolton from Paris Saint-Germain in the 2002 summer, and immediately became a cult hero at the Reebok Stadium famously for the signatory commentating ‘so good they had to name him twice’.
The ex-international scored 18 goals across and registered 10 assists in 145 appearances for Bolton, helping the club to a place in the UEFA Cup as well as a run to the 2004 League Cup final.
Known for his exceptional dribbling skills and flair, Okocha often featured on the retro Sky Sports skill of the week, playing football with a smile on his face while simultaneously keeping fans on their toes.
“I think I got one of his shirts actually. The first time I played against him,” the former England international said.
“I played against him a couple of times when he was at Bolton, and he’s the only player who I’ve ever played against who did two things to me in one game.
“The first one was a meg – and I have been megged by loads of players, but it was a lovely one and he got round a proper one. I thought, ‘Uh, I’ve dived in, I’ve got to give this fellow some respect.’
“And the other one, he stuck in a corner and he scooped one over my head and got it the other side. You know it, you just raging. I couldn’t get near him.
“Mate, he had all sorts. He always played with a smile on his face. He had that freedom to try things that I wouldn’t want to try in a game, and he could shoot.
“Just a free spirit. An absolute talent in skill, playing with that creativity.”
