Sports

Jay-Jay Okocha Reveals His Most Memorable Goal At PSG

Published

4 years ago

June 15, 2022

Former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, has revealed that his debut goal, an equaliser against the French side, Bordeaux, was the most memorable during his time at the Ligue 1 giants.

Okocha was signed by PSG from Turkish club Fenerbahce in the summer of 1998 at a record fee of 18 million dollars, making him the most expensive African player at the time.

The 48-year-old, reflecting on his time at PSG, said the transfer to the Parisians had successfully raised his worth as a player, an experience he was grateful for.

“PSG is a club that really touched my life and raised the bar for me. In 1998, I was approached to join PSG and I can say that my former club Fenerbahce made it difficult to leave,” Okocha told NAN in Lagos.

“The club made it difficult because I just renewed my contract with them for three years. So, they didn’t want to release me to PSG.

“For me, I see the contract as a lifetime opportunity and PSG as one of the best clubs in the world. So, I was interested and I had to leave for PSG even before the negotiations ended.”

Okocha added, “I can remember joining PSG without pre-season training and I did not immediately play until the fourth match.

“I was on the bench against Bordeaux and we were losing by 0-1, five minutes to the end of the match, the coach, Alain Giresse, called me to play and I scored a fantastic goal.

“After the goal against Bordeaux, the club knew that I was ready for the challenge.

“While I was at PSG, I played alongside great players like Ronaldinho de Gucho, Nicolas Anelka and the present manager, Mauricio Pochettino, among others.

“I had a great experience at PSG and that is why till today, I am one of the ambassadors of the club and I feel so fortunate.”

Okocha won the 1997-98 Coupe de France during his time at PSG.

The former Super Eagles captain played a total of 84 games for PSG and scored 12 goals across all competitions.

Sports

CRASH: Anthony Joshua Opens Up On Friends’ Death

Published

33 minutes ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

Former world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, has said the death of his two friends posed a tough time for him.

Recall that a car conveying the boxer earlier this month, rammed into a stationary truck along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The accident claimed that lives of his personal trainer, Kevin Latif Ayodele, and his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami.

In a post on his verified Facebook page on Thursday, the former heavyweight champion said it was tough for him.

Joshua acknowledged that the incident was “even tougher” for the parents of the deceased.

He wrote, “Thank you for all the love and care you have shown my brothers. I didn’t even realise how special they are.

“I’ll just be walking with them and cracking jokes with them, not even knowing God kept me in the presence of great men.

“100% it’s tough for me, but I know it’s even tougher for their parents. I have a strong mind, and I believe God knows their hearts. May God have mercy on my brothers.”

Sports

NPFL: Kano Pillars Sack Two Players

Published

41 minutes ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

Kano Pillars have announced the departure of the duo of Umar Sani Yakasai Samuel Tiza.

Yakasai and Tiza’s contracts were terminated by the Kano-based club.

The Sai Masu Gida confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday.

“Kano Pillars FC wishes to announce that, following a mutual understanding, the club have amicably parted ways with striker Samuel Tiza and midfielder Umar Sani Yakasai,” Kano Pillars wrote in a statement confirming the players departure.

“Both players will now continue their careers elsewhere ahead of the second stanza of the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League season.”

Kano Pillars is expected to make up for their departure with the signing of new players.

Sports

AFCON: It’s Not Possible – NSC On Super Eagles Players Requesting Cash Payment

Published

45 minutes ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Shehu Dikko, has insisted that it is not possible to pay the Super Eagles of Nigeria their match bonus in cash.

Dikko stated this while clarifying the situation about Super Eagles match bonuses following reports of players threatening to boycott training and refusing to travel to Marrakech for Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, quarter-final clash against Algeria on Saturday.

He spoke on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.

“Clearly, the players requested whether they could get some of these in cash, and they were told it’s not possible,” Dikko said.

“These bonuses are not paid in cash; they have to be paid through the bank, which is the normal procedure.

“The only ones they agreed to pay in cash are the daily allowances.”

The Super Eagles progressed to the last-8 after humiliating Mozambique 4-0 in the AFCON Round of 16.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Finance, Doris Nkiruka-Anite, had earlier disclosed that the Super Eagles players will start receiving their bonus money alerts today or tomorrow before the Algeria clash.