Former Super Eagles Captain, Jay Jay Okocha has opened up on why he never had any scandal all through his career as a footballer. Okocha made this known in Lagos over the weekend during a Bundesliga Legends Tour.
Okocha moved from Enugu Rangers as a 17-year old Kid to Germany where he became a sensation. He also had spells in Turkey, France and England.
“I can proudly say that I had no scandal throughout my career. And there was no serious injury worries because of what I was taught how to live off the pitch. It was very important.”
Speaking further, Okocha, who is the immediate past chairman of Delta FA said: “Playing in the German Bundesliga gave me the platform to excel in my football career. The Bundesliga is the league that made me, and it changed my life. And that was even when our people (Nigerians) didn’t know much about it.
“I got to Germany at 17 and I was given the opportunity to excel. It is difficult to find that happening in any other place. In England, for instance, you have to play 75 per cent of your country’s games before you are considered in the Premiership. But in the German Bundesliga, they give you everything to express yourself. I always use myself as an example. In the beginning, I never wanted to pass the ball, but the Bundesliga made me strike the right balance and used my talent to the advantage of the team.
“If I had the opportunity, I will ask every Nigerian kid to start his career in Germany. The structure they have in the Bundesliga is far from what is obtainable in other leagues.”
The Bundesliga Legends Tour ended last weekend with a five aside game for children in Lekki.