[YOUTUBE]VBaH_9vJETg[/YOUTUBE] Okocha is so hard to ever forget. The golden era of Nigerian football.
Reminds me when Kanu was playing for Arsenal, when Arsenal actually had a team of men that could win, not boys like they do now.
lol @ bullshit soccer, maybe I should have said Nigerian brand of world football (soccer) Checked the Nigerians playing American football... they are really lots...did not know they were that many. I have never been into it, so I have never paid much attention to it. I should be following up from now on.
I remember the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, where Okocha was part of the Golden Generation of Nigerian players (okocha, kanu, ammunike, tijani babangida, lawal etc). I mostly grew up in Nigeria so these guys were like national heroes unlike now where nobody really likes the players because of their prima donna ways. I specifically remember the game against Argentina that they won 3-2. Honestly, people went nuts; they were partying like we'd just won the WC. naija, i'm sure you probably remember this too. I was living in a part of Lagos called Ikeja (pronounced EE-KEH-JAH) which is quite residential and even there was like a fiesta. Okocha was probably one of my fav players growing up, and is definitely among my favorites of all time. His skills were just something else. To think that players like him never really went to any academy as kids, they learned all what they learned playing the game in the streets with bare feet and (often) something other than an actual soccer ball speaks volumes about how talented they truly are and their hard work.
You are right about all what you said. There was something about Okocha ....that extra something that when you watching him ....you know it would take a while to ever see a footballer like that again. I remember watching Michael Jordan in an IMAX theater some years back...it was just too much remembering his era. He brought back memories of his reign .... you wished just watching his life as documented was still unfolding in modern reality. How I wish Okocha can be documented like that.
I met Jay-Jay in Istanbul when he played for Besiktas, one of the Turkish teams. He was a class act and a superb player then as he had been throughout his career. Turks loved him and his team fanatics, called the Amigos derailed a sports writer who criticized Jay-Jay by calling him "that black player"... During that entire season, the Amigos would chant "We are Black Too"...
Without trying to brag, I do travel all over Europe. I was bitten by the bug when I was military. Got spoiled by the world beyond the hood... Learned several languages and adapted to local customs wherever I planted my feet. I come back to the States for business meetings and to visit, but I can't see myself ever coming home again...
I feel you on that bro. My mindset as well. Love how you mention becoming multi-lingual and adapting to local customs wherever you set your feet. I feel I'm that way drop me in Iceland, Germany, Ireland, Thailand, Brazil, etc. and I will see what's up and learn from the locals. Sounds like you caught the travel bug indeed. Cool stuff.
It is so nice to read your perspectives on issues. It is such a wonderful experience learning from your experiences. Yes, I think he was in Beskitas. I think he moved there after he left Germany. He was a gifted, but humble player who always had a smile for everyone.
Thank you for the kind words and even more, the feeling from your heart... Our greatest gifts, whatever they may be, are meant to be shared and I try each day to share my little bit that someone else will add a little bit until those little bits become a lot... Some words that I carry with me thru life were written by Khalil Gilbran: Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself. Love possesses not nor would it be possessed; For love is sufficient unto love. Okocha has this vibe about him that speaks of humanity and his words always portrayed his humbleness... A giant man amongst mortal men...
