OKOCHA FINALY WINS THE BBC African footballer.........

mastermind 17 · Post by **mastermind 17** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 1:46 pm

Of the year award. Man I am happy that the great one has come of age.
I was almost giving up hope of him winning this title.
Join me in congratulating Jay Jay!!!!!

mastermind 17 · Post by **mastermind 17** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 1:47 pm

Ooh By the way, the story is on the BBC african page.

By Osasu Obayiuwana
BBC Sport

Okocha praised his two runners-up

Nigerian skipper Austin 'Jay-Jay' Okocha has won his first international award after being voted the 2003 BBC African Footballer of the Year.

He wins the award ahead Juventus' Ghanaian international Stephen Appiah and Samuel Eto'o, the Cameroon striker who plays for Spanish side Real Mallorca.

Okocha topped the poll of readers of the BBC African football website and listeners of the BBC World Service's African sports programme, Fast Track.

"I've been expecting something like this for a very long time," a delighted Okocha told BBC Sport.

"I'd got to the stage where I thought that I'd never win an award in my career, so I'm very happy to be recognised in this way."

I'd got to the stage where I thought that I'd never win an award in my career

Jay-Jay Okocha

Okocha, who has been in excellent form for English Premiership club Bolton Wanderers in the 2002 season, added that he "appreciates" the support he has received from African football fans throughout his career.

He said: "I've always received letters of encouragement from them and I hope to keep playing well in order to pay them back for their faith in me."

Okocha was also full of praise for his two runners-up, describing Appiah and Eto'o as "worthy ambassadors of the African game" in Europe.

"We didn't know much about Appiah before but now that he has a regular with Juventus, he's really shown what he's capable of.

"As for Eto'o, we all know that he's been consistent for his club and country over the last few years."

mastermind 17 · Post by **mastermind 17** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 1:51 pm

Hahaa, looks like all the Okocha Bashers have decided to stay away from this one. This is good news for him ahead of the African Cup of Nations.

Mr Shows · Post by **Mr Shows** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 1:53 pm

Well done JJ

next stop CAF's APOY.

Arise Sir JJ.

Cheers

odi · Post by **odi** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 1:54 pm

Let's hear it for our deserving skipper!!

HIP HIP HIP HIP...

HUURRRRAAAAAYYYYYY!!!!

Oya CAF, follow suit!!

MI5 · Post by **MI5** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 1:57 pm

Yes congrats to him and a well deserved award which should put him in line with the real one CAF footballer of the year... JJJJJJJAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY

Ayo Akinfe · Post by **Ayo Akinfe** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 2:02 pm

Is anyone here old enough to remember Denise Williams' Let's Hear It For the Boy?

skillful · Post by **skillful** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 2:03 pm

oga u do well

senator · Post by **senator** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 2:04 pm

Welldone JAY JAY keep it going and u will lift the cup come february

Goldleaf · Post by **Goldleaf** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 2:07 pm

Congrats to JJ Okocha. Not only has he brought joy to fans in Nigeria, Germany and Turkey, but according to the chaplain of the city of Bolton, he singlehandedly brought many youngsters to Bolton parks in the cold to practise their ball juggling skills.

Now, a man who achieves that cannot be all that bad..

bigapple · Post by **bigapple** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 2:10 pm

Congratulations to him, he surely deserves it and more!

Janganza · Post by **Janganza** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 2:20 pm

Congrats to JJ

omey2k4 · Post by **omey2k4** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 2:24 pm

Congrats to JJ but remember Sammy Kuffour won the BBC AFY award then Diouf won the real thing.If the guy wins the real thing i cant hate on him.

Riche007 · Post by **Riche007** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 2:26 pm

omey2k4 wrote:Congrats to JJ but remember Sammy Kuffour won the BBC AFY award then Diouf won the real thing.If the guy wins the real thing i cant hate on him.

Nowadays, the BBC award is more credible

Congrats JJ!

StoneKold · Post by **StoneKold** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 2:29 pm

c o n g r a t u l a t i o n s - that is my boy.

i expect u to win the africa big price too. apoy.

well done and kip it up.

please take my cool blue k.i.s.s.

Jmal · Post by **Jmal** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 2:29 pm

GUYS IT'S IMPORTANT THAT HE WINS HIS FIRST AFRICAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR...GUESS WHAT THATS NOT ENOUGH IN MY OPINION.
WITH WHAT HE IS CAPABLE I THINK HE CAN BUSH FOR ONE OF THE EUROPIAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR...AM SAD THAT HE PLAYS FOR CLUB LIKE BOLTON...IF HE WAS AT ARSENAL OR MAN-UNITED..OR OTHER BIG CLUBS I THINK BY NOW HE WOULD HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE 3 BEST WORLD PLAYER OF THE YEAR

BUT AM VERY GLAD THAT HE WINS SAMTHING

temitope · Post by **temitope** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 2:30 pm

Friday, January 9, 2004

Okocha puts contract on backburner
Soccernet

Bolton captain Jay-Jay Okocha says he is more concerned about playing football than planning contract talks.

The Nigerian playmaker, whose current deal expires at the end of the season, is due to head off to the Africa Nations Cup in Tunisia shortly.

Before then the former Paris St Germain star has some vital club business to take care of starting with the local derby against Blackburn tomorrow.

'I don't want to start thinking about my contract situation yet,' he said. 'I just want to concentrate on the games I am playing. When the time comes I will make a decision.

'Before I came to Bolton I was free and I didn't get many offers. I am quite happy here. I am very grateful I got the opportunity to play in the Premiership with Bolton and I want to pay them back. That is what I am doing.

'It is always nice to be among the best teams but not everyone can do that. At Bolton it is like a family. It is always a joy coming into training.'

Okocha insists he is his own man. 'I always try to be myself - to try and play my own game, no matter what the situation is. When things are going wrong a lot of people get nervous and forget that it is all about football. They put themselves under pressure.

'I try to keep my head free. I try to forget about the problems and do my best.'

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce will have to make one enforced change to the team that went down to Manchester United.

Jamaica defender Ricardo Gardner is ruled out after damaging knee ligaments in the first half while striker Mario Jardel remains doubtful because of a hamstring injury.

Its a Goal · Post by **Its a Goal** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 2:40 pm

Congratulations is definately in order

. Long over due if I may add :x.

oluwaseye the 1st. · Post by **oluwaseye the 1st.** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 2:51 pm

Winner oh oh oh winnner, winner oh oh oh winner, Jay Jay you don win o winner, ANC we don come oh winner patapata we go win again oh winner.

More vaseline and jeleen to your elbows.

Post by **YUJAM** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 2:56 pm

Much respect to Oga JJ.

He deserves the award!

1naija · Post by **1naija** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 3:01 pm

Congratulations to JJ.

But what is BBC African footballer of the Year?

Chief Ogbunigwe · Post by **Chief Ogbunigwe** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 3:03 pm

congrats. Now, IAG has put a new meaning into the words "SHRINE" and "SHRINER"! Haba! and wetin concern JJ with Fat Albert?

Chief Ogbunigwe · Post by **Chief Ogbunigwe** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 3:05 pm

1naija wrote:Congratulations to JJ.

But what is BBC African footballer of the Year?

It's similar to Nigerian Player of the Year Award JJ co-sponsored and won a few years ago

Cybereagles

OKOCHA FINALY WINS THE BBC African footballer.........

OKOCHA FINALY WINS THE BBC African footballer.........

Re: OKOCHA FINALY WINS THE BBC African footballer.........

Re: OKOCHA FINALY WINS THE BBC African footballer.........