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Jay-Jay Okocha Quotes
born 1973 Nigeria
Augustine Azuka Okocha (born 14 August 1973), commonly known as Jay-Jay Okocha, is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.
Random Jay-Jay Okocha quote
15 quotes
When you have a vision, when you have a dream, and if you’re strong mentally, nothing that is thrown at you can stop you
I think every player is unique, you know," says the man himself. We have got a lot of talented players in the Bundesliga. But, with all due respect, maybe I was a little bit special.
I was just being out there, playing the game that we love, without thinking that one day it might be my career.
You're not just playing for your community. You're playing for a whole continent, you are trying to leave a good impression so that the next child will be given the opportunity.
If I look back now, for me, it's more like a job well done, because I left my mark."
I couldn’t say anything. When it happened I felt bad but then I said to myself it’s time to move on and that was when I left.
Another low moment was when we failed to qualify for 2006 World Cup which was in Germany. That would have been my fourth World Cup.
The area where I grew up, the tribe—we are business inclined
It was a tough period. Maybe the most difficult time of my life,” he once recalled. “My challenges were off the pitch—the food, the language, the culture.
I think it gave me something that was special, in a way that I am free whenever I’m on the pitch. That's where I can express myself. That was what my upbringing gave me.
My contract money is for investment
It means everything to me, to make sure that I leave the door open for the next generation, because as an African playing in Europe, you have to realise that you're not just playing for yourself.
The desire that I had to succeed, having to leave my family, having to go to a country where you don’t understand the language, you don’t understand the culture.
We always leave our things last minute and then maybe the government hasn’t realized the budget but we have to go so they bundle us to the camp in hope that they are coming in three days to sort the bills.
The difference is that in Europe you have everything you need to improve as a player and you’re playing under better coaches and a better environment. In Nigeria, we lack facilities and that disturbs one’s opportunity to perform and bring out the best in a young player. I was lucky that I left Nigeria early.
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