Seventeen years after his retirement, Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha remains a towering figure in African football history, and former Kenya captain Victor Wanyama has now crowned the Nigerian legend as the greatest African footballer of all time.
The ex-Tottenham and Southampton midfielder made the declaration during a viral quick-fire interview circulating on social media, once again highlighting the global admiration Okocha continues to command.
Wanyama: Okocha Is the Greatest
Wanyama, who now plies his trade in MLS, was asked to give rapid answers to several football-themed questions ranging from his favorite attacker to the most dominant player in the Premier League.
The 34-year-old displayed a broad footballing palette with his early picks:
- Best attacker: Ronaldo Nazário (R9)
- Best playmaker: Andrés Iniesta
- Best defender: Sergio Ramos
- Most aura: Cristiano Ronaldo
- Best active player: Ousmane Dembélé
- Best Premier League player: Cristian Romero
But when the question turned to Africa’s finest of all time, Wanyama didn’t hesitate.
“That has to be Jay-Jay Okocha.”
He also named Sadio Mané as the best African player currently active.
Okocha’s Legacy Still Untouched
Okocha, an AFCON 1994 champion, Olympic gold medalist, and one of the most gifted dribblers ever to grace the game, has long been celebrated for his unmatched flair and showmanship.
From Eintracht Frankfurt to PSG, Bolton Wanderers to the Super Eagles, the midfield maestro left behind a legacy defined not just by achievements but by the joy and artistry he brought to the pitch.
Wanyama’s endorsement adds to the chorus of fans, pundits, and former players who continue to elevate Okocha’s name in conversations about the greatest to ever do it on the continent.
For many, including Wanyama, Africa has produced countless superstars, but there was only one Jay-Jay Okocha.
