“He Was Pure Magic” – FIFA, CAF, NFF, Fans Celebrate Nigerian Legend Okocha At 47

One of the most gifted footballers to ever run with a ball on a pitch turned a year older today to yet another round of applause from football lovers the works over

World football-governing body, FIFA, Africa’s number one football organization CAF, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, and English club Bolton Wanderers have felicitated with Super Eagles legend, Austin Okocha, on his 47th birthday.

Born on 14 August 1973, Okocha enjoyed a brilliant football career playing for and securing cult hero status at Frankfurt, Fenerbahce, Paris St. Germaine, Bolton Wanderers as well as Hull City.

The two-time BBC Africa Player of the Year was a vital member of the Nigerian squad that lifted the 1994 African Cup of Nations and also qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time that same year.

A talented and skilful playmaker, Okocha was named Nigeria Player of the Year a record seven times and is considered by many as the best Nigerian footballer ever.

Many took to the social media site, Twitter, to send birthday wishes to the man who once had fans enthralled with the ball between his feet.

Okocha scored 14 goals in 73 games garnered across 13 years for the Super Eagles before he retired in 2006.