From the soccer field to the small screen: Super Eagles legend Austin Okocha gets his own animated show

The Nigerian football icon is set to be back on screen over a decade after he hung his playing boots

Nigerian soccer legend Austin Okocha is set to be the subject of Showmax’s first animated series, Jay Jay: The Chosen One.

The series, which is based on his childhood in Nigeria, will feature 13 episodes and is voiced by a cast of Nigerian actors, led by Prince Unigwe, who will play Jay Jay.

Okocha himself is excited about the show and is honoured that it will reimagine his childhood.

The show will follow an 11-year-old Augustine, who dreams of playing football with his rag-tag group of friends.

As well as football, Augustine has a passion for the animal kingdom, which bestows superpowers on him in return for his fight against illegal poaching.

What is Okocha’s reaction? 

Okocha has expressed his gratitude to Showmax and the production team, who worked hard to bring his animated series to life.

He believes the series will inspire young children who dream of being football players and bring back good childhood memories. He is excited about the show and can’t wait for viewers to see it.

“I'm honoured to have an animated series that reimagines my childhood,” Okocha said, as per Deadline.

“Jay Jay: The Chosen One is going to bring back good childhood memories as well as inspire young children who have dreams to be football players. I’m excited about the show and grateful to Showmax and the production team who worked hard to bring it to life.”

Jay Jay: The Chosen One is a fitting tribute to Okocha’s contribution to Nigerian soccer and his enduring legacy.

Okocha’s career

Austin Okocha played for the Nigerian national team between 1993 and 2006, where he led the country to Olympics soccer glory at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

The former playmaker was a member of the Super Eagles squad that lifted the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia. 

He played in three World Cups and gained 73 caps.

At the club level, Okocha enjoyed successful spells for Fenerbahce in Turkey, PSG in France, and Bolton Wanderers in the English Premier League. Okocha also played in Germany and Qatar and retired in the UK in 2008 after playing for Hull City.

He is considered one of the most skilful attacking midfielders of all time and is considered by many as Nigeria’s greatest-ever player.