The question on every Nigerian football fan’s lips: Does Jay-Jay still have it?
Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha – the magician, the entertainer, the man who made the ball talk – returns to Lagos this weekend and all eyes will be on those feet.
The African Legends Game is set for Sunday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, and organisers are promising more than just a kickabout. It is a full-blown reunion of African football royalty.
Okocha headlines Nigeria’s golden generation alongside Nwankwo Kanu, Daniel Amokachi, Finidi George, Mutiu Adepoju and Taribo West – the heroes of USA ’94 and Atlanta ’96 who made the world stand up for Nigeria.
Facing them is a fearsome African XI led by Togo’s Emmanuel Adebayor, with Senegal’s El-Hadji Diouf, Ghana’s Stephen Appiah and Cameroon’s Rigobert Song all confirmed.
A world press conference holds today, Saturday, to set the stage.
Organised by Toptier Sports Management in collaboration with Afreximbank and CANEX as part of CANEX WKND 2026, the match kicks off at 5pm on Sunday, November 8, with gates opening from 1.30pm.
There will be a football clinic for 500 kids, music and tributes – but let’s be honest, fans are coming for one thing.
That moment when Jay-Jay picks up the ball, drops a shoulder, drags it back, and leaves two defenders chasing shadows.
At 53, he may not run for 90 minutes. But if there is one man who can still reenact that legendary dribble and bring Onikan to its feet, it is Okocha.
Lagos, get ready. The magician is back in town.
- Media Report