Former Super Eagles captain Augustine “Jay Jay” Okocha has explained how the nickname that became inseparable from his football career first emerged.
In a recent interview, the Nigerian legend said the name dates back to the neighbourhood where he was raised and regularly played football with his two brothers.
Okocha recalled that the area was home to several boys and men called Austin, creating confusion whenever residents referred to one of them. To distinguish him from the others, people began describing him as “Austin, Jay Jay’s brother”, a reference to his older brother James, who was already known as Jay Jay.
“It began in the neighbourhood where we grew up. We were all footballers because we did not have other toys, and my two brothers played too,” Okocha said. “There were several Austins, so people needed a way to know which one they meant. They started calling me Austin, Jay Jay’s brother, and that eventually became Austin Jay Jay.”
The nickname took on a new importance after Okocha moved overseas to continue his football career. He said many people found Augustine difficult to pronounce, leading him to choose the shorter and more accessible “Jay Jay”.
“When I travelled, people had trouble saying Augustine. I told them Jay Jay was much easier, so I decided to take the name on,” he added.
The former midfielder also revealed that the nickname is now legally recognised, having been added to his passport. “It is in my passport now. It officially belongs to me, although I still pay royalties to my brother,” he joked.
Okocha built an outstanding club career with Eintracht Frankfurt, Fenerbahçe, Paris Saint-Germain, Bolton Wanderers and Hull City. He also established himself as one of Nigeria’s most revered footballers.
His dazzling skill, exceptional dribbling and entertaining approach made him a fan favourite around the world. During his Bolton years, those qualities helped inspire the celebrated line that he was “so good they named him twice”.
