If you ask the average Nigerian football fan who watched the Super Eagles between the early 90s and 2010 to name their favorite player from that era, they will most likely respond, “Omo na Jay Jay ooo.”
Jay Jay Okocha stands out as arguably the most enterprising and entertaining Nigerian player of all time. Even today, many fans argue that the Super Eagles still lack a player of Okocha’s caliber.
A rare generational talent, Okocha made his mark at Bolton Wanderers in England, where the iconic phrase “Jay-Jay – so good they named him twice” originated.
Born in Enugu, the attacking midfielder played a pivotal role in what many consider Nigeria’s most talented squad—the Atlanta 1996 Olympic gold medal-winning team.
Okocha also contributed to the Super Eagles’ second Africa Cup of Nations title in 1994, just a few years after his rise to prominence.
However, over time, his career has faced scrutiny. Some critics argue that he could have achieved more given his immense talent, while others label him as “unserious.”
These debates have fueled comparisons between Okocha and players from the current generation, such as Ademola Lookman, who has achieved a remarkable balance of success at both club and international levels.
Ademola Lookman, the Super Eagles forward, is now the reigning African Men’s Player of the Year, following an exceptional 12 months with Atalanta and the Nigerian national team.
This article explores why Ademola Lookman, when compared to Jay Jay Okocha, could be considered the greater player.
1. Club Success
Ademola Lookman elevated Atalanta to European recognition. Before winning the Europa League last season, Atalanta was simply regarded as a good team in Europe.
Lookman changed that narrative, leading the club to its first-ever European title with a hat trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.
In contrast, while Okocha played for clubs like PSG, Frankfurt, Fenerbahçe, and Bolton, he never achieved significant European success with any of them.
Though he was a standout performer, he did not rewrite the history of the clubs he represented.
2. Personal Awards
Ademola Lookman is the reigning African Footballer of the Year, an accolade he earned in his first attempt after an outstanding 2024 for both club and country.
He also finished 14th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings, the only African player to feature in the top 20.
Okocha, on the other hand, finished second once and third twice in the African Footballer of the Year awards during his career. However, he did win the BBC African Footballer of the Year award in 2004.
3. Tactical Adaptability
Football has evolved significantly over the years, with certain positions like the traditional number 10 becoming less prominent or even obsolete.
As a classic number 10, Okocha might struggle to adapt to the demands of modern football, where midfielders are required to run, defend, and maintain positional discipline.
In contrast, Ademola Lookman’s versatility allows him to thrive in various tactical systems.
Whether in the traditional 4-4-2 setup of Okocha’s era or today’s more fluid formations, Lookman has proven his ability to adapt. For example, he excelled as both a left winger and a second striker during AFCON 2024.
While Jay Jay Okocha will always be celebrated as one of the most important players of his generation, Ademola Lookman’s immediate impact for Nigeria and his accomplishments at the club level suggest he may already surpass Okocha in greatness.
