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Nigerian Football Star, Jay-Jay Okocha Turns 52 Today

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Augustine Azuka “Jay-Jay” Okocha born 14 August 1973, Nigerian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder turns 52 today.

He had 73 caps for the Nigeria national team between 1993 and 2006, scoring 14 goals, and was a member of three FIFA World Cup squads. He is regarded as one of the greatest African footballers of all time and one of the most influential dribblers in World football history.

He played across multiple leagues, starting his career at Enugu Rangers in the Nigerian Professional Football League before moving to Borussia Neunkirchen in the Oberliga Südwest, Germany’s third division, in July 1990.

He played in the Bundesliga, Süper Lig, Ligue 1, Premier League, EFL Championship, and Qatar Stars League before his retirement in 2008.

quick, talented, agile, and skilful playmaker, Okocha usually played as an attacking midfielder, and is widely considered by pundits internationally as the best Nigerian footballer ever, and as one of the best African players of all time.

Okocha was known for his confidence and clever trickery with the ball, technique, creativity, flair, close control, and smooth dribbling skills, as well as his turn of pace and his use of feints, in particular his version of the stepover (nicknamed the Okocha stepover) and his trademark turns.

In 2012, Allan Jiang of Bleacher Report rated Okocha as one of the greatest dribblers of all time.

Due to his range of passing, Okocha was capable of creating chances for teammates; he was also known for his ability to produce long throw-ins.

While not being particularly prolific or consistent in his finishing or goalscoring, Okocha, possessed a powerful shot from long range and was an effective free-kick taker, which saw him score some spectacular and ingenious goals through his career.

Due to his skill and nickname, he was described as being ‘so good that they named him twice’ (a line immortalised in a terrace chant while Okocha played for Bolton Wanderers).

He is still remembered by Fenerbahçe fans as one of the legends of the club and the Turkish football league.

In addition to being an inspiration for many other African footballers, such as Asamoah Gyan, Okocha also was a major influence on the playing style of several other footballers across the globe, including German playmaker Mesut Özil,as well Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho, whom Okocha played alongside during their time together at Paris Saint-Germain.

Okocha became known as the “African Maradona” in the media, due to his skill and decisive performances for his country.

Despite his ability, however, he was also known for being inconsistent, and for his lack of tactical discipline on the pitch.

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Benue Governor Alia dissolves Lobi Stars FC board

The decision is aimed at repositioning the club for greater efficiency, accountability, and better performance in both the Nigeria Premier Football League and other competitions.

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Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has dissolved the Board and Management of the state-owned Lobi Stars FC, Makurdi.

Lobi Stars FC were relegated last season after a 27-year stay in the Nigeria Premier Football League, following a run of poor performances.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, announced the governor’s approval of the dissolution in a statement issued on Thursday and made available to journalists in Makurdi.

The move was described as part of ongoing reforms to reposition the club for “greater efficiency, accountability, and better performance” in the Nigeria Premier Football League and other competitions.

The decision is aimed at repositioning the club for greater efficiency, accountability, and better performance in both the Nigeria Premier Football League and other competitions,” the statement read.

Governor Alia directed that “all members of the dissolved management should hand over all official documents, assets, and responsibilities to the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Creativity with immediate effect.”

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Davido Chairs Osun Sports Trust Fund

“Davido has been appointed to chair the Sports Trust Fund, and he did not hesitate in accepting the appointment. His intervention would attract funds that would impact Osun sports positively.”

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Davido and Osun Governor, Ademola Adeleke. Photo Credit: X

The Osun State Government has appointed Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, as chairman of the Osun Sports Trust Fund.

The government said that the move was aimed at raising funds to transform the state sports sector.

It also reaffirmed its commitment to completing the ongoing renovation and rehabilitation of the Osogbo Township Stadium, assuring that the upgraded facility will meet Olympic standards upon completion.

The Guardian Nigeria reports that the state deputy governor, Kola Adewusi, who doubles as the Commissioner for Sports, said the state government under Governor Ademola Adeleke is determined to transform the stadium into a world-class sports arena that will not only host national events but also attract international competitions.

He said, “Ongoing renovation and rehabilitation of the Osogbo Township Stadium to meet Olympic standards — a project that will be completed in the shortest possible time.

“I am pleased to inform you that plans are in advanced stages towards the establishment of the Osun State Sports Commission, which will serve as a central body for sports administration, development, and policy implementation.

“Davido has been appointed to chair the Sports Trust Fund, and he did not hesitate in accepting the appointment. His intervention would attract funds that would impact Osun sports positively.”

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Dembele returns for PSG after six weeks out

Dembele, 28, has been out since injuring a hamstring while on international duty with France in early September.

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Dembele

Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele was on Monday included in Paris Saint-Germain’s squad to face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League after a six-week injury layoff.

According to AFP, Dembele’s return for Tuesday’s league stage game will come as a welcome boost for coach Luis Enrique, whose side has been struggling with injuries this season.

Dembele, 28, has been out since injuring a hamstring while on international duty with France in early September.

He had been recuperating at a specialist clinic in Qatar and returned to training last week.

He missed out on PSG’s entertaining 3-3 draw against Strasbourg on Friday but could play some role in Germany as the European champions seek to make it three wins out of three in the Champions League so far this season.

Leverkusen centre-back Loic Bade, Dembele’s teammate in the France squad, told reporters Monday there was “no secret recipe” to stopping the PSG forward, calling him “a complete player with several qualities”.

“He won the Ballon d’Or — of course he’s got a lot of quality. He’s good with both feet. I don’t think he’s got a weak side,” Bade said.

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