By Daily Sports on December 23, 2016
Austin Jay Jay Okocha has attributed his decision to retire active football early to lack of enough playing time.
The ex-Nigeria international, who dazzled the footballing world with his sizzling skills and breathtaking performances made the shock decision to leave the game in 2008. According to the Olympic Gold medallist, reduced minutes on the pitch of play triggered his exile from the round leather game, at the age of 34.
“I must confess that (not getting a lot of playing time) was one of the main reasons why I retired from playing at a very young age,” Okocha told media men at a press conference organised by Star Times.
“I believe that it is not worth it to train from Monday to Friday just to have 20 minutes on the pitch or sit on the bench on Saturday. I am very competitive.”
The midfielder who last represented Nigeria in 2006, appeared for the Super Eagles 75 times with 14 goals to his name. (goal.com)
•Photo shows Austin Jay Jay Okocha
Source Daily Sports
Posted December 23, 2016
You may also like...
Eagles: Westerhof makes case for Kelechi Nwakali
Beterbiev stops Koelling to win IBF light heavyweight...
Enyimba Set For Rahimo Showdown
'Crown Elite Basketball Can Help Nigerian Game Grow'...
Soccer Star Banned For One Match For Blasphemy...
Napoli Spank Florentina To Go Third

US waives visa fees for Cape Verde keeper’s mother
World Cup: African teams concede 16 goals, score seven in first round
Eagles must move forward, Osimhen on Mundial miss
Women’s top seed reaches CBN tennis q’finals
Adeshina doubtful for Commonwealth Games
Oshoba, Ibeabuchi, Esepo lead 2026 FGM award nominees
Why I cried after first goal in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria — Messi
Serena Williams suffered a straight-sets defeat in the Berlin Open doubles on Tuesday, hours after the confirmation of her return to Wimbledon to play alongside her older sister, Venus. Williams and Czech doubles partner Karolina Muchova fell to Mexico’s Giuliana Olmos and Erin Routliffe, of New Zealand, 6-4, 6-4. The duo lost the opening set after Williams was broken in her second service game. They were broken on Muchova’s serve midway through the second set and failed to find a way back into the contest.
W’Cup Olise, Barcola shine as Mbappé double powers France past Senegal in 3-1 thriller
W’Cup: Olise, Barcola shine as Mbappé double powers France past Senegal in 3-1 thriller
2026 FIFA WORLD CUP FINALS: Nigerian-Born Stars Dazzle in the US, Canada and Mexico
depoju picks best World Cup moment June 16, 2026 4:18 am
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,885 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,211 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,142 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,734 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,625 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,510 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,374 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,916 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,110 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,593 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (48,053 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,473 views)