My power was the will to survive

Jay-Jay Okocha is one of the most iconic players in Premier League history and is known for the incredible skills he displayed during his time at Bolton Wanderers.

But the Nigerian came from humble beginnings in the southern city of the country, Enugu. No Room for Racism The initiative celebrates the diversity of the Premier League with the theme “Greatness comes from everywhere”.

“I can say that my greatness comes from my childhood,” he says okocha. “To know that I have nothing is to know that failure is out of the question.

“(Yes, I had humble beginnings. My father worked on the railways. Normal average African families just trying to survive.)

“The only toy we had as kids was football. We played without shoes. I think I wore my first pair of football shoes when I was 12 and it was very uncomfortable. I had to get used to it because I was used to playing barefoot.”

“It was just being out there, playing the game we love, without thinking that one day this could be my career.

“We had a big team in Enugu that played in the first division: Enugu Rangers.

“Most of us dreamed of playing for this club because there were not many Nigerians playing abroad. For example, we had no connection with the Premier League. Our dream was only limited to playing for that big team.”

‘Desire to survive’

Okocha quickly realized his dream of playing for Enugu and got the chance to aim even higher when he was offered the opportunity to play in Germany, first for Borussia Neunkirchen and then for Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt in 1992.

“My strength was my will to survive,” he says. “My desire to be successful is that I don’t have to leave my family, I don’t have to go to a country where you don’t understand the language or culture.

“I had to learn the hard way because there was no one to give me advice, no one to talk to, I had to figure it all out on my own.

“This was truly an opportunity we were all looking for, hoping for. I knew I had this opportunity and had to make the most of it.

“I think it gave me something special; it allowed me to be free when I’m on the field. This is where I can express myself. My upbringing gave me that.”

While playing in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Okocha was transferred first to Fenerbahce and then to Paris Saint-Germain while facing England during the tournament.

He joined Bolton Wanderers the same summer and spent four seasons in the Premier League, scoring 14 goals and providing 11 assists with his magic tricks and moves in 124 senior appearances.

“It means a lot to me to make sure I leave the door open for the next generation, because as an African playing in Europe you have to understand that you’re not just playing for yourself,” Okocha said.

“You’re not just playing for your community, you’re playing for a whole continent, trying to make a good impression so the next kid gets an opportunity.

“Looking back now it seems more like a job well done for me because I left my mark.”