By Teddy Nwanunobi
Former Super Eagles captain, Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha, has disclosed that he still pays royalties for using the nickname, adding that it brought him good omen.
Okocha, who made the revelation while speaking on the Obi One Podcast, also revealed that the famous nickname originated from one of his elder brothers during their childhood in Enugu State.
The Super Eagles legend explained that the name started in the neighbourhood where they grew up in Enugu, where several boys were called Austin, making it difficult for people to identify him.
According to the former captain of Bolton Wanderers, his friends began referring to him as ‘Austin Jay-Jay’s brother’ because his elder brother was known as Jay-Jay.
Although Okocha did not specify which of his brothers he pays royalties to in the podcast, his immediate elder brother, Emmanuel, was famously called ‘Jay-Jay’.
Okocha recalled how he and his brothers spent their childhood playing football on the streets.
“I think it started in the neighbourhood where we grew up; all of us were footballers because we had no other toys. We were just on the street playing, and my two brothers played as well.
“We had few Austins then, so to identify which Austin is which, they started calling me Austin Jay-Jay’s brother. So from there, Austin Jay-Jay,” he added.
The nickname eventually followed Okocha into professional football and became one of the most recognisable names in African football.
The former attacking midfielder said he later adopted ‘Jay-Jay’ officially because people abroad struggled to pronounce his birth name, Augustine.
“Some people were struggling to pronounce my name Augustine. So, Jay-Jay was a lot easier. So, I said I might as well adopt the name, and I put it in my passport. Officially it’s mine,” he disclosed.
Despite officially adopting the nickname, Okocha jokingly revealed that his elder brother still deserves some compensation for giving him the name.
“I still pay royalties to my brother. It’s like he brought the good omen,” he added.
Okocha enjoyed a distinguished career in Europe, featuring for clubs including: Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany, Fenerbahce in Turkey, Paris Saint-Germain in France, and Bolton Wanderers FC in England.
Known for his exceptional dribbling, creativity and flair, he became one of Nigeria’s most celebrated footballers, with the nickname ‘Jay-Jay’ becoming inseparable from his illustrious career.