By Kunle Solaja.

More than three decades have passed since a young, fearless midfielder first pulled on the green-and-white jersey of Nigeria. Yet, 33 years after his debut, the name Jay-Jay Okocha still rolls off the tongue with reverence, nostalgia, and a sense of wonder.

On May 2, 1993, Okocha made his first appearance for the Super Eagles in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Côte d’Ivoire in Abidjan. Nigeria lost 2–1 that day, but something far more enduring had been born — the international career of a player who would go on to redefine flair, creativity, and football artistry in African football.

The heartbeat of a Golden Generation

Okocha emerged as a central figure in Nigeria’s celebrated “Golden Generation” of the mid-1990s, a team that dazzled Africa and commanded global respect between 1994 and 1996.

With 68 caps for Nigeria, he was not just a midfielder; he was the rhythm of the team. His ability to glide past defenders, dictate tempo, and produce moments of sheer brilliance made him indispensable.

At the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, his creative spark stood out in a Super Eagles side that flattered to deceive. For many observers, Okocha was Nigeria’s brightest light on the global stage.

From Enugu streets to European stardom

Okocha’s journey began modestly with Enugu Rangers as a teenager. But destiny intervened during a holiday trip to Germany, where a trial with a lower-division side opened the door to Europe.

His breakthrough came at Eintracht Frankfurt, where his dazzling dribbles and audacious skills quickly made him a fan favourite and a Bundesliga sensation. From there, his rise was swift.

A move to Fenerbahçe in 1996 brought league success, but it was his record-breaking transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in 1998 — worth $17 million — that cemented his global status. At the time, it made him the most expensive Nigerian player ever and one of the biggest signings in French football history.

Cult hero in England

If Germany and France admired Okocha, England adored him.

At Bolton Wanderers, he became more than a player — he was a phenomenon. Fans sang, “Jay-Jay Okocha — so good they named him twice,” a chant that still echoes in Premier League folklore.

Under manager Sam Allardyce, Okocha captained the side and led Bolton into one of the most successful periods in their history, including the remarkable 2003/04 season. His flair brought joy to fans, but his leadership brought stability to a club long associated with relegation struggles.

Recognition among the greats

In March 2004, Brazilian legend Pelé included Okocha in his prestigious list of the 125 greatest living footballers — a rare honour that underlined his global impact. Only five African players made that elite list.

Okocha’s brilliance was not just about trophies or statistics; it was about influence. Many players across generations have cited him as an inspiration — a footballer who made the game feel like art.

Among his many contributions to Nigerian football, one stands out symbolically: scoring the 1,000th goal in Africa Cup of Nations history during Nigeria’s emphatic 4–0 win over South Africa in Tunisia.

Jay-Jay Okocha (right) nets the 1,000th goal in Africa Cup of Nations history past South Africa’s Emile Baron during the AFCON match in Monastir, Tunisia, on 31 January 2004. Photo: Fethi Belaid/AFP

By the time he stepped away from international football, he ranked among Nigeria’s most capped players, trailing only legends like Muda Lawal at the time.

Today, 33 years after that modest debut in Abidjan, Okocha’s legacy remains undiminished. In Frankfurt, Paris, Istanbul, Bolton — and across Nigeria — he is remembered not just for what he achieved, but for how he made people feel.

He did not just play football. He performed it.

And in doing so, Jay-Jay Okocha ensured that time may pass, but magic never fades.

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Iranian soccer federation president Mehdi Taj said Canadian officials cleared him to enter the country for the FIFA Congress, but Iran’s delegation chose to turn back after being held for ​three hours and questioned at a Toronto airport, Iranian media reported on Friday.

Taj, a ‌former member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said he was questioned by Canadian immigration about his ties to the group, but was ultimately allowed into the country for the pre-World Cup gathering in Vancouver.

Canadian authorities ​have said members of the IRGC are prohibited from entering the country, which is ​set to co-host the World Cup from June along with the United ⁠States and Mexico.

“We all had visas and were even checked in Turkey. They told us they ​had questions for you and asked if we were members of the IRGC,” Iran’s semi-official news ​agency Tasnim quoted Taj as saying.

“We told them that there are 90 million IRGC members in Iran. They said that we don’t allow people from this organisation in. They said that it is the law of ​our country.

“After a while, they said you can enter, but we decided to return. They didn’t ​deport us, and we decided to return ourselves… I told the Canadians that you kept us at the ‌airport ⁠for three hours, you made us wait for nothing.”

Reuters has contacted Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, which issues visas to travel to the country, for comment.

Taj said FIFA president Gianni Infantino had offered to send a jet to take the Iranian delegation to Canada after they returned to ​Turkey, but they refused.

“I ​told the FIFA secretary ⁠general (Mattias Grafstrom) that you are intimidated by America and that you say ‘yes, sir’ to whatever they say,” he said.

Reuters has reached out to FIFA ​for comment.

Infantino insisted on Thursday that Iran would play World Cup matches ​in the United ⁠States, despite tensions between the two countries since the U.S. and Israel launched a war against Iran in February. FIFA earlier rejected Tehran’s request for alternative venues for matches on U.S. soil.

“We need ⁠to ​hold a meeting with FIFA officials to ensure that if ​we are to come to the World Cup, there should be no side issues and controversies for our team,” Taj ​said about Iran’s participation.

-Reuters

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South Africa plan to arrive in Mexico almost a fortnight before the opening game of the World Cup in order to acclimatise to the ​altitude, coach Hugo Broos said.

Co-hosts Mexico open the tournament on June 11 ‌with a Group A match against South Africa at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, which is 2,200m (7,216 feet) above sea level.

While most of the South African players are based at clubs ​in Johannesburg, which has an altitude of 1,753m, Broos says his squad need ​time to adjust to the conditions in Mexico before the opening ⁠game.

The squad will travel on May 30 to their base in Pachuca, which is ​around 200 metres higher than Mexico City. The city is less than 100 km ​from Mexico City.

“The first days it will be difficult to train at 100% because of the altitude, so that is what we will do in the second week,” Broos said in a radio ​interview.

South Africa plan to take on Nicaragua at home in a friendly on May ​29, although this is not confirmed, and are negotiating to have Puerto Rico as a warm-up ‌opponent ⁠for a second international scrimmage in Pachuca.

In their other World Cup group matches, South Africa will meet the Czech Republic in Atlanta on June 18 and South Korea in Monterrey on June 24, seeking to advance past the first round for the first time ​in their fourth World ​Cup appearance.

“It’s not ⁠an easy group for us. First of all, we will face the hosts in the opening game, at the Azteca Stadium, ​and it will be very difficult for us there,” Broos said ​earlier in ⁠the year.

But the veteran coach, who played for semi-finalists Belgium at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, has also previously predicted his side could cause some upsets at the tournament, ⁠which is ​also being played in Canada and the U.S.

South ​Africa and Mexico drew 1-1 at Soccer City in Johannesburg in the opening game of the 2010 World ​Cup, which South Africa hosted.

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